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A ^MMATMM 



ON 

CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 

FORMERLY CAIXED 

ANARCHY OF THE RANTERS, &c 
BEING A TWO-FOLD APOLOGY 

FOR THE 

CHUIiCHJLNI) PEOPLE OF GOB, 

CALLED, IN DERISION, QUAKERS. 

WHEREIN 

'hey are vindicated from those that accuse them of disorder anc* 
confusion on the one hand, and from such as calumniate them 
with tyranny and imposition on the other; shewing, that as the 
true and pure principles of the gospel are restored by their tes- 
timony ; so is also the ancient apostolic order of the Church of 
Christ re-established among them, and settled upon its right 
basis and foundation. 



BY ROBERT BARCLAY. 

Phil. 2, 3. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory ; but 
in IcfVliness of mind let each esteem other better tftan them- 
selves. 

TIeb. 13. 7. Remember them that have the rule 1 over you, who 
have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow. 



TO WHICH rs ADDED 

AX EPISTLE TO THE NATIONAL MEETING 
OF FRIENDS IN DUBLIN, 

CONCERNING 

Good Order and Discipline in the Church. 
BY JOSEPH PIKE. 



PHILADELPHIA : 
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SOLOMON W. CONRAD: 



1822, 



-£>* 



^ 



-^f 



X** 






THE CONTENTS. 



t. I. The Introduction and method of this 
Treatise. 

sect. II. Concerning the ground and cause of 
this controversy* 

Sect. III. Whether there be any order or go- 
vernment in the Church of Christ. 

Sect. IV. Of the order and government we 
plead for. 

Sect. V. In what cases, and how far, this go- 
vernment extends. 

Sect. VI. How far this government extends in 
matters spiritual, and purely conscien- 
tious. 

Sect. VII. Concerning the power of decision." 

Sect. VIII. How this government altogether 
differeth from the oppressing and persecut- 
ing principality of the church of Rome^ 
and other anti- christian assemblies. 

The Conclusion. 
Joseph Pike's Epistle* 



ON 

CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 

SECTION I. 

7%<? Introduction and Method of this Treatise. 

AFTER that the Lord God in his own ap- 
pointed time had seen meet to put an end to the 
dispensation of the law, which was delivered. to 
the children of Israel, by the ministry of Moses ; 
through and by whom he did communicate unto 
them in the wilderness from Mount Sinai, divers 
commandments, ordinances, appointments and 
observations, according as they are testified in the 
writings of the law ; it pleased him to send his 
own Son the Lord Jesus Christ in the fulness of 
time ; who having perfectly fulfilled the law, and 
the righteousness thereof, gave witness to the dis- 
pensation of the gospel. And having approved 
himself, and the excellency of his doctrine, by 
many great and wonderful signs and miracles, he 
sealed it with his blood; and triumphing over 
death (of which it was impossible for him to be 
held) he cherished and encouraged his despised 
witnesses, who had believed in him, in that he 
appeared to them, after he was raised from the 
dead ; comforting them with the hope and assu- 
rance of the pouring forth of his Spirit, by which 

A 







they "were to be led and ordered in all things; in 
and by which, he was to be with them to the end 
of the world; not .suffering the gates of hell to pre- 
vail against them. By which Spirit come upon 
them, they being filled,#were emboldened to preach 
the gospel without fear; and, in a short time, 
thousands were added to the church; and the 
multitude of them that believed were of one 
heart, and of one soul ; and great love and zeal 
prevailed, and there was nothing lacking for a 
season. 

But all that were caught in the net did not 
prove good and wholesQme fish ; some were again 
to be cast into that ocean, from whence they were 
drawn : of those many that were called, all proved 
not chosen vessels, fit for the master's use ; and 
of all that were brought into the great supper and 
marriage of the king's son, there were that were 
found without the wedding garment. — Some 
made a shew for a season, and afterwards fell 
away ; there were that drew back ; there were 
that made shipwreck of faith, and of a good con- 
science : there were not only such as did back- 
slide themselves, but sought to draw others into 
the same perdition with themselves, seeking to 
overturn their faith also ; yea, there were that 
brought in damnable heresies, even denying the 
Lord that bought them. And also of those mem- 
bers that became not wholly corrupt (for some 
were never again restored by repentance) there 
w r ere that were weak, and sickly, and young; 
some were to be fed with milk, and not with 
strong meat; some were to be purged, when the 
old leaven received any place; and some to be cut 



3 

off for a season, to be shut out, as it were, of the 
camp for a time, until their leprosy was healed, 
and then to be received in again. 

Moreover, as to outwards, there was the care 
of the poor, of the widow, of the fatherless, of the 
strangers, &c. Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ 
who is the head of the body, the church, 
(for the church is the body of Christ, and the 
saints are the several members of that body) 
knowing in his infinite wisdom, what was need- 
ful for the good ordering and disposing all things 
in their proper place, and for preserving and keep- 
ing all things in their right station, did, in the dis- 
pensation and communication of his holy Spirit, 
minister unto every member, a measure of the 
same Spirit, yet diverse according to operation, 
for the edification of the body ; some apostles, 
some teachers, some pastors, some elders; there 
are old men, there are young men, there are babes. 
For all are not apostles, neither are all elders, 
neither are all babes ; yet are all members : and 
as such, all have a sense and feeling of the life of 
the body, which from the head, flows unto all 
the body, as the ointment of Aaron's beard unto 
the skirts of his garment : and every member has 
its place and station in the body, so long as it 
keeps in the life of the body; and all have need 
one of another; yet is no member to assume ano= 
ther place in the body, than God has given it ; 
nor yet to grudge or repine its fellow member's 
place ; but be content with its own; for the un- 
comely parts, are no less needful than the comely; 
and the less honourable than the more honoura- 
ble ; which the apostle Paul holds forth in 1 Cor, 
12, from verse 13 to 30, 



4 

Now the ground of all schisms, divisions or rents 
in the body is, when as any member assumes 
another place than is allotted it; or being gone 
from the life and unity of the body, and losing 
the sense of it, lets in the murmurer, the eye that 
watches for evil, and not in holy care over its fel- 
low members : and then, instead of coming down 
to judgment in itself, will stand up and judge its 
fellow members, yea, the whole body, or those 
whom God has set in a more honourable and 
eminent place in the body than itself. Such suf- 
fer not the word of exhortation ; and term the re- 
proofs of instruction, which }s the way of life, im- 
position and oppression, and are not aware how 
far they are in the things they condemn others 
for ; while they spare not to reprove and revile all 
their fellow members : yet if they be but -admon- 
ished themselves, they cry out as if their great 
charter of gospel liberty were broken. 

Now though such, and the spirit by which 
they are acted, be sufficiently seen and felt by 
thousands, whose hearts God has so established 
as they are out of danger of being entangled in 
that snare, and who have power and strength in 
themselves to judge that spirit, even in its most 
subtile appearances ; yet there are, who cannot so 
well withstand the subtilty, and seeming sinceri- 
ty some such pretend to, though in measure they 
have a sight of them ; and others, that cannot so 
rightly distinguish between the precious and the 
vile ; and some there are that through wealffiess, 
and want of true discerning, may be deceived, 
and the simplicity in them betrayed for a season; 
as it is written, " with fair speeches and smooth 
words they deceive the hearts of the simple." 






Therefore having, according to my measure, 
received an opening in my understanding as to 
these things, from the light of the Lord, and ha- 
ving been for some time under the weighty sense 
of them, I find at this instant a freedom to com- 
mit them to writing, for the more universal bene- 
fit and edification of the Church of Christ. 

Now for the more plain and clear opening and 
understanding of these things, it is fit to sum 
up this treatise in these following general heads, 
to be considered of : 

First, From whence the ground and cause of 
this controversy is, the rise and root of it ? 

Secondly, Whether there be now any order 
and government in the Church of Christ ? 

Thirdly, What is the order and government 
which we plead for? In what cases, and how 
far it may extend? In whom the power decisive is, 
and how it difFereth? And is wholly another,, 
than the oppressing and persecuting principality 
of the church of Rome, and other anti-christian 
assemblies. 



SECTION II. 

Concerning the ground and cause of this Contro- 
versy. 

When as the Lord God by his mighty power, 
began to visit the nations with the dawning of 
his heavenly day, (for thus I write unto those 
that have received and believed the truth) and 
that he sent forth his instruments, whom he had 

a 2 



6 

fitted and prepared for his work, having fashioned 
them not according to the wisdom and will of 
man, but to his own heavenly wisdom and coun- 
sel, they went forth and preached the gospel in 
the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit : not 
in the enticing words of man's wisdom ; but in 
appearance as fools and mad, to those that judged 
according to man. But their words and testi- 
mony pierced through into the inner man in the 
heart, and reached to that of God in the con- 
science ; whereby as many as were simple-heart- 
ed, and waited for the redemption of their souls, 
received them as the messengers of the most high 
God ; and their words were unto them, not as 
the words of men, but as the words of God ; for 
in the receiving and embracing the testimony of 
truth through them, they felt their souls eased r 
and the acceptable day began to dawn in and up- 
on them. 

Now what evidence brought these men to make 
their testimony to be received? did they entice? 
did they flatter? did they daub up? did they 
preach liberty to the flesh or will of man ? nay ve- 
rily, they used no such method : their words were 
as thunder-bolts, knocking down all that stood in 
their way, and pouring down the judgment of 
God upon the head of the transgressor every 
where. Did they spare the zealous professor 
more than the open prophane? nay verily, they 
condemned equally the hypocrisy of the one, as 
well as the profanity of the other; yet wanted they 
not regard to the tender seed and plant of God in 
either. Did they give way ? did they yield to 
ihe wisdom of man? to the deceitfulness of the 



serpent, that would reason truth for themselves, 
saying, I must stay until I be convinced of this, 
and that, and the other thing ; I see not yet this 
to be wrong, or the other thing to be my duty ? 
How did they knock down this manner of reason- 
ing by the Spirit of God, which wrought migh- 
tily in them, shewing and holding forth, that this 
is the day of the Lord that is dawned ; that all are 
invited to come; that none ought to tarry behind : 
that that which so pleadeth is the same spirit 
which of old time said in those that were invited, 
I cannot come yet, I must first marry a wife ; I 
must go prove my yoke of oxen ; I must go visit 
my possessions ; let me first bury my dead father. 
Did not the Lord through them testify and declare 
against these things ? and is there not a cloud of 
witnesses, who felt the enemy thus reasoning to 
keep us in the forms, fellowships, false worships* 
and foolish fashions of this world ? But we felt r 
as we were obedient, all these things to be for 
condemnation ; and that, as we obeyed the pure 
manifestation of the light of Jesus ir> our hearts, 
there was no hesitation. We might and should 
have parted with all those things at the first ; and 
what occasioned such scruples, was but that 
which drew back, through being unwilling to 
give pure obedience to the cross of Christ ; for as 
many as gave obedience and believed in the light, 
found no occasion of stabling ; but such as be- 
lieved not were condemned already r because they 
believed not in him that appeared. Now the bold- 
ness, and courage, and efficacy of these messen- 
gers testimony, wrought such astonishment, fear ? 
and amazement in the hearts of such as were in- 



8 

genuous, that many began to be inwardly pricked, 
as in the days of old, and the foundations of many 
began to be shaken ; and some that were asleep 
were awakened, and many that were dead and 
buried in the graves of sin, and formality and su- 
perstition, and idolatry of all sorts, were alarmed; 
and many were brought in from the hedges and 
the high-ways, and the Truth was received by 
thousands with great cheerfulness, and a readiness 
of mind : and the feet of those were beheld to be 
beautiful upon the mountains, that brought the 
glad tidings of these good things* And great 
lowliness and simplicity of heart was upon such 
that were' newly convinced of the truth, and deep 
humiliation of spirit and subjection to the power, 
both in themselves, and in those who were over 
them in the Lord, and had gathered them into 
the truth. 

But as it was in the gatherings of old, so it also, 
fell out in this day ; all kept not their first love : 
as among those thousands, which Moses led out 
of Egypt, and carried through the Red sea, who 
had sung praises to God upon the banks of salva- 
tion, many carcases fell in the wilderness ; some 
who murmured and longed to return again to the 
flesh-pots of Egypt ; and some for opposing and 
contradicting the servant and servants of the 
Lord, whom the Lord had made use of to lead 
them out of bondage, iflfcaying, ye take too much 
upon you ; hath the Lord indeed only spoken by 
Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And 
as among these multitudes which were gathered 
by the apostles, there were many who continued 
not faithful to the end ; some returned back again 
with the sow to the puddle after they were wash- 



ed ; some embraced the present world ; some 
again separated themselves, being sensual, and 
without the spirit, despising dominions, and speak- 
ing evil of dignities; their mouths speaking great 
swelling words, being puffed up, and not abiding 
in these things, which they were taught of the 
apostles ; so it is to be lamented, that among these 
many thousands, whom the apostles and evan- 
gelists whom God raised up in this day (for the 
gathering of his seed and people out of spiritual 
Egypt and Babylon into his pure light and life) 
did bring forth and gather, there are that have fal- 
len upon the right hand and the left. Some are 
turned back again into Egypt, running into the 
same excess of hist and riot, from .whence they 
were once purified and redeemed : some could not 
bear the reproach of the cross of Christ; and were 
by and anon offended in him : some could not 
bear the tribulations, sufferings and persecutions, 
which came for the truth's sake ; and the seed in 
them was soon scorched with the heat of the day. 
And some not abiding in subjection to the truth 
in themselves, were not contented with that place 
and station in the body, which God had placed 
them in; but became vainly puffed up in their 
fleshly minds, intruding into those things which 
they had not seen : and would needs be innova- 
tors, given to change, and introducing new doc- 
trines and practices, not only differing, but con- 
trary to what was already delivered in the begin- 
ning; making parties, causing divisions and rents* 
stumbling the weak, and denying, despising and 
reviling the apostles and messengers of Christ, the 
elders of the church, who loved not their lives 



10 






unto death, but through much care, and travel, 
and watchings, and whippings, and bonds, and 
beatings, in daily jeopardy, gathered us by the 
mighty power of God into the most precious 
truth. Yet in all this there hath nothing befallen 
us, but that which hath been the ancient lot of the 
Church of Christ in the primitive times. 

Now he, that was careful for his church and 
people in old times, hath not been wanting to us 
in our day; but as he has again restored the truth 
unto its primitive integrity and simplicity, and as 
he has delivered our understandings from these 
„ false doctrines and principles, which prevailed in 
the apostacy; so he hath not gathered us to be 
" as sheep scattered without a shepherd, 55 that 
every one may run his own way, and every one 
follow 7 his own will, and so to be as a confused 
mass or Chaos, without any order ; but he, even 
the Lord, hath also gathered, and is gathering us 
into the good order, discipline, and government 
of his own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ: there- 
fore he hath laid care upon some beyond others, 
who watch for the souls of their brethren, as they 
that must give account. 

There are then fathers that have begotten us 
unto Christ Jesus through the gospel, of whom 
we ought to be followers, and to remember their 
ways, which be in Christ. There are then fa- 
thers and children, instructors and instructed, el- 
ders and young men, yea, and babes ; there are 
that cannot cease, but must exhort, instruct, re- 
prove, condemn, judge ; or else for what end 
gave Christ the gifts mentioned, Ephes. 4. 11. 
.12? And how are the saints perfected, and the 



11 

body of Christ edified of those, who came under 
the cognizance, and, as it were, the test of this 
order and government? I may chiefly sum them 
up in three sorts (though there be divers other 
little subdivided species of them,) 

The first is, Those that turn openly back to 
the world again, through finding the way of truth 
too narrow. These have not been capable to do 
us any considerable hurt ; for being a salt, that 
has lost its savour, they mostly prove a stink 
among those to whom they go. And I never knew 
any of them, that proved any way steady among 
those to whom they go. I find other professors 
make but small boast of any proselytes they got 
out from among us ; I hear little of their proving 
champions for the principles of others against us. 
And, indeed, for the most part they lose all reli- 
gion with the truth : for I have heard some of 
them say ; That if ever they took on them to be 
religious, they would come back again to the 
Quakers, &c. 

Secondly, Those, who through unwatchful- 
ness, the secret corruption of their own hearts, 
and the mysterious or hidden temptations of the 
enemy, have fallen into his snares ; and so have 
come under the power of some temptation or 
other, either of fleshly lusts, or of spiritual wick- 
edness : who being seasonably warned by those 
that keep their habitation, and faithful overseers 
in the church, have been again restored by un- 
feigned repentance; not kicking against the 
pricks ; but have rejoiced, that others watched 
over them for their good, and are become monu- 
ments of God's mercy unto this day. 



12 

Thirdly, Such, who being departed from their 
first love and ancient zeal for the truth, become 
cold and lukewarm ; and yet are ashamed to 
make open apostacy, and to turn back again, so 
as to deny all the principles of truth, they having 
had already such evidence of clearness upon their ' 
understanding ; yet not keeping low in their own 
habitations, but being puffed up, and giving way 
to the restless imaginations of their exalted and 
wandering minds, fall out with their brethren ; 
cause divisions; begin to find fault with every 
thing, and to look .at others more than at them- 
selves ; with swelling words to talk of, and preach 
up, a higher dispensation, while they are far from 
living up to the life and perfection of this present ; 
like unto such who said, We will not have 
this man to rule over us : cry out of formality and 
apostacy, because they are not followed in all 
things; and if they be reproved for their unruli- 
ness, according to the good order of the Church 
of Christ, then they cry out, Breach of liberty , 
oppression^ persecution ! we will have none of your 
order and government ; we are taught to follow 
the light in our consciences, and not the orders of 
men. Well, of this hereafter ; but this gave the 
rise of this controversy : which leads me to that 
which I proposed in the second place. 



SECTION III. 

Whether there be now to be any order or go- 
vernment in the Church of Christ. 

In answer to this proposition, I meddle not at 
this time with those that deny any such thing as 



13 

a Church of Christ; I have reserved their plea to 
another place. Neither need I to be at much 
pains to prove the affirmative, to wit, that there 
ought to be government and order in the Church 
of Christ unto the generality of our opposers, 
both papists and protestants ; who readily confess 
and acknowledge it, and have heretofore blamed 
us for want of it". Though now some of them, 
and that of the highest pretenders, are become so 
unreasonable, as to accuse us for the use of it ; 
improving it, so far as they can, to our disadvan- 
tage: for such is the blindness of partial envy, 
that whereas the supposed want of it was once 
reckoned heretical, now the present performance 
of it is counted criminal. 

These, then, to whom I come to prove this 
thing, are such, who having cast off the yoke of 
the-xross of Christ in themselves, refuse all sub- 
jection or government: denying that any such 
thing ought to be, as disagreeing with the testimo- 
ny of truth ; or those, who not being so wilful 
and obstinate in their minds, yet are fearful or 
scrupulous in the matter in respect of the danger- 
ous consequences, they may apprehend, such a 
thing may draw after it. 

For the clearing then as well the mistakes of 
the one, as answering the cavils of the other, I 
judge the truth of these following assertions will 
sufficiently prove the matter; which I shall make 
no great difficulty to evidence. 

First, That Jesus Christ, the King and Head 
of the Church, did appoint and ordain, that there 
should be order and government in it. 

Secondly, That the apostles and primitive 

B 



14 

Christians, when they were filled with the Holy- 
Ghost, and immediately led by the Spirit of God, 
did practise and commend it. 

Thirdly, That the same occasion and necessity 
now occurring, which gave them opportunity to 
exercise that authority, the Church of Christ 
hath the same power now as ever, and is led by 
the same spirit into the same practices. 

As to the first, I know there are some, that the 
very name of a church, and the very words, order 
and government they are afraid of. Now this I 
suppose hath proceeded, because of the great 
hypocrisy, deceit and oppression, that hath been 
cloaked with the pretence of these things; but 
wfty should the Truth be neglected, because hy- 
pocrites have pretended to it? The right institu- 
tion of these things, which have been appointed 
and ordained of God, must not, nor ought not to 
be despised, because corrupt men have abused and 
perverted them. I know not any thing that hath 
been more abused and perverted in the whole 
world, than the name of a Christian ; shall we then 
renounce that honourable title, because so many 
thousands of wicked men, yea, Antichrists, have 
falsely assumed it to themselves? The man of sin 
hath taken upon him to sit in the temple of God, 
a§ God 5 yet we must not therefore deny, that God 
is in this temple? If the synagogue of Satan as- 
sumed the name of the Church of Christ, and hath 
termed her oppression and violence, the power 
and authority thereof; therefore must not th^ 
Church of Christ, and its authority, be exercised, 
where it truly is according to his mind ? This I 
prefix to warn all to beware of stumbling at things 



If 
o 

which are innocent in themselves ; and that vtfe 
may labour to hold the steady, even path of truth, 
without running into either of the extremes. For 
that Jesus Christ did appoint order and govern- 
ment to be in the Church, is very clear from his 
plain words, Matt. 18. 15. Moreover if thy bro- 
ther shall trespass against thee, go tell him his 
fault between thee and him alone ; if he shall hear 
thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Ver. 16. But 
if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or 
two more, that in the mouth of two or three wit- 
nesses, every word may be established. Ver. 17. 
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto 
the church : but if he neglect to hear the church., 
let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a pub- 
lican. Ver. 18. Verily, I say unto you, whatso- 
ever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in hea- 
ven ; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall 
be loosed in heaven. From which Scripture it 
doth manifestly and evidently follow ; first, That 
Jesus Christ intended there should be certain or- 
der and method in his church, in the procedure 
towards such as transgress. Secondly, That he 
that refuseth to hear two, is become more guilty 
(as hardened) than in refusing to hear him that 
first reproved alone. Thirdly, That refusing to 
hear the judgment of the church, or whole assem- 
bly, he doth thereby exclude himself, and shutout 
himself from being a member; and is justly judg- 
ed by his brethren as an heathen and a publican. 
And lastly, that the church, gathering, or as- 
sembly of God's people, has power to examine and 
call to account such, as appearing to be among 
them, or owning the same faith with them, do 



16 

transgress ; and in case of their refusing to hear, 
or repent, to exclude them from their fellowship : 
and that God hath a special regard to the judg- 
ment and sense of his people thus orderly proceed- 
ing, so as to hold such bound in heaven, whom 
they bind on earth, and such loosed in heaven, 
whom they loose on earth. I am partly confident, 
that no rational man will deny, but that these 
naturally follow from the above mentioned Scrip- 
ture ; and if there should be any found so unrea- 
sonable as to deny it, I could prove it by necessa- 
ry and unevitable consequences; which at present, 
as taken it for granted, I forbear to do. If it be 
reckoned so great a crime to offend one of the 
little ones, that it were better for him, that so doth, 
that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and 
he were drowned in the depth of the sea; without 
question, to offend and gainsay the whole flock, 
must be more criminal, and must draw after it a 
far deeper judgment. 

Now if there were no order nor government 
in the church, what should become of those that 
transgress ? how should they be again restored ? 
would not this make all reproving, all instructing, 
all caring for, and watching over one another, void 
and null? why should Christ have desired them to 
proceed after this method? why doth he place so 
villi ch weight upon the judgment of the church, as 
to make the refusing of hearing it, to draw so deep 
a censure after it ; which he will not have to follow 
the refusing to hear one or two apart, though the 
matter be one and the same ? and so, as to the sub- 
stantial and intrinsic truth of the thing, there lies 
the same obligation upon the transgressor to hear 



17 

that one, as well as all ; for that one adviseth him 
to that which is right and good, as * ell as the 
whole; and they do but homologate or confirm that 
which that one hath already asserted: yet Jesus 
Christ, who is the author of order, and not of con- 
fusion, will not have a brother cut off, or reputed a 
publican, for refusing to hear one or two, but for 
refusing to hear the church. And if it be objec- 
ted, that the Church of Rome, and all other false 
churches, make use of this Scripture, and cover 
their persecution, and cruelty, and oppression by 
it ; and thou sayest no more than they say : I 
answer ; I suppose no man will be so unreasona- 
ble as to affirm, that the Church of Rome abusing 
this Scripture, will make it false in itself; but 
how we differ in our application of this Scripture, 
shall be spoken of hereafter. I tan not now claim- 
ing right to this power, as due to us (that is re- 
served for another place ;) but this, I say, is that 
which I now aver to be manifest from the Scrip- 
ture testimony, and to be in itself an unquestion- 
able truth, that Jesus Christ interided there should 
be order and government in his church; which is, 
the thing at present in hand to be proved : 
which if it be so really true (as it cannot be de- 
nied) then I hope it will also necessarily follow, 
that such who really and truly are the church 
of Christ, have a right to exercise this order and 
government. 

Secondly, That the apostles and primitive 
christians did practise order and government, we 
need but read the history of the Acts, of which 
I shall mention a few pregnant and undeniable 
testimonies ; as we may observe in the very first 

* b 2 



IS 

chapter of the Acts, from verse 13. to the end ; 
where at the very first meeting the apostles and 
brethren held together after the ascension of 
Christ, they began orderly to appoint one to sup- 
ply the place of Judas ; it may be thought this 
was a needless ceremony ; yet we see how the 
Lord countenanced it. I hope none will say, that 
the apostles appointing of these two men, or hinv 
upon whom the lot did not fall, contradicted their 
imvard freedom, or imposed upon it; but both 
agreed very well together ; the one in the will 
and movings of God in appointing, and the other 
in the same, in submitting to their appointment. 

Moreover, after they had received the Holy 
Ghost, you may read, Acts, 6. so soon as there 
was an opportunity, how they wisely gave order 
concerning the distribution for the poor, and ap- 
pointed some men for that purpose. So here was 
order and government, according to the present 
necessity of the case : and the Lord God was well 
pleased with it, and the word of God increased, and 
the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusa- 
lem greatly. Might they not have said then, as 
some say now; We will give our charity to 
whom we see cause ; and w r e will take no notice 
of your appointments and orders : whether would 
God have approved of such, yea, or nay? 

Thirdly, When that the business of circum- 
cision fell in, whether it was fit or not to cir- 
cumcise the Gentiles ? We see, the apostles saw 
not meet, to suffer every one to follow their own 
minds and wills : they did not judge, as one con- 
fusedly supposeth, That this difference in an out- 
ward exercise^ would commend the unity of the 



19 

true faith : nay they took another method. It is 
said expressly. Acts 15. 6. And the apostles and 
elders came together, to consider of this matter ; 
and after there had been much disputing about 
it, (no doubt then there were here diversities of 
opinions and judgments) the apostles and elders 
told their judgments, and came also to a posi- 
tive conclusion. Sure some behoved to submit, 
else they should never have agreed. So those 
that were the elders, gave a positive judgment; 
and they were bold to say, That it pleased not only 
them but the Holy Ghost. By all which it doth 
undeniably appear, that the apostles and primi- 
tive saints, practised a holy order and govern- 
ment among themselves : and I hope none will 
be so bold as to say, they did these things with- 
out the leadings of the Spirit of God/ and his 
power and authority concurring, and going along 
with them. 

And that these things were not only singular 
practices, but that they held it doctrinally ; that 
is to say, it was doctrine which they preached \ 
that there ought to be order and government in 
the church, is manifest from the following testi- 
monies; 1 Cor. 4. 15, 16, 17. For though you 
have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet 
have ye not many fathers : for in Christ Jesus, I 
have begotten you through the gospel. Where- 
fore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For 
this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who 
is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord ; who 
shall bring you into remembrance of my ways, 
which be in Christ, as I teach every where in 
every church. Here the apostle Paul is very ab* 



20 

solute : First, In that he desires them to be fol- 
lowers of him. Secondly, In that he sends a 
teacher, yea, a minister, and eminent bishop, or 
overseer of the church, for to put them in mind 
of his ways, which be in Christ, as he taught in 
every church. No doubt there were apostates, 
and dissenting spirits in the church of Corinth, 
that gave Paul occasion thus to write, as he tes- 
tifies in the beginning of the chapter, how he 
was judged by some of them ; he shews, how 
they were grown high; verse 8. Now ye are full, 
now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings 
without us, &c. Might not these dissenters of 
the church of Corinth, have reasoned thus against 
Paul ? Did not this Paul teach us, at first, to 
mind the measure of grace in ourselves, and fol- 
low that; (for no doubt that was Paul's doc- 
trine) but now he begins to Lord it over us, and 
tells us, we must be followers of him. Might 
they not have judged the beloved Timothy to be 
far out of his place ? Might they not have said, 
it seems it is not God that moved thee, and sent 
thee here by his Spirit ; but lordly Paul, that 
seeks dominion over our faith : It seems thou 
comest not here to preach Christ, and wish us to 
be followers of him, and of his grace in our 
hearts; but to mind us to follow Paul's ways, 
and take notice, how he teaches in every church : 
We are not concerned with him, nor with his 
messenger, nor with any of your orders, and so 
forth. Doth not this run very plausible? I ques- 
tion not but there was such a reasoning among 
the apostate Corinthians : let such as are of the 
same kind among us examine seriously, and 



21 

measure their spirits truly hereby. Yea, he goes 
yet further in the following chapter, verses 3, 4. 
Verse 3. As absent in body, but present in spirit, 
I have judged already, as though I were present, 
concerning him that hath so done the deed. 
Verse 4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with 
the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, &c. Would 
not one think this to have been a very presump- 
tuous word? And yet who dare offer to con- 
demn it ? From all w'hich, I shall shortly observe, 
that it seems it was judged no inconsistency nor 
contradiction, to be followers of the grace in 
themselves, to be persuaded in their own hearts, 
and also to be followers of the apostle Paul, and 
of his ways ; because his ways and example was 
no other than the spirit of God in themselves 
would have led them to, if they had been obe« 
dient: therefore, he found it needful to charge 
them positively to follow him, without adding 
this reason. 

Next, the great argument the apostle uses to 
persuade them hereunto, upon which he mainly 
insists, because he had begotten them into the 
truth; Ye have not many fathers; for in Christ 
Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel : 
wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 
So he makes that as the cause ; which the same 
apostle also in his expostulation with the Galati- 
ans, putting them in mind how he preached the 
gospel to them at first, and chap. 4. ver. 15. 
Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I 
bear you record, if possible ye would have pluck- 
ed out your own eyes, and given them unto me* 



22 

We see then, that the Lord hath, and doth give 
such, whom he hath furnished, and sent forth to 
gather a people unto himself, care and oversight 
over that people ; yea and a certain authority in 
the power over them to bring them back to their 
duty, when they stray at any time ; and to appoint, 
yea, and command such things as are needful for 
peace, and order, and unity's sake: and that there 
lies mi obligation upon such as are so gathered, 
to reverence, honour, yea, and obey such as are 
set over them in the Lord. For, saith the same 
apostle, 2 Cor. 2. 9. For to this end also did I 
write, that I might know the proof of you, wheth- 
er you be obedient in all things : and chap. 7. 
ver. 13. 15. Yea, and exceedingly the more joy- 
ed w r e for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was 
refreshed by you all. Ver. 15. And his inward 
affection is more abundant towards you, whilst 
he remembereth the obedience of you all, how 
with fear and trembling ye received him. 

Now this will not at all infer, as if they had 
been implicitly led of old: or that such, as having 
the same authority to exercise it now, sought 
dominion over their brethren's faith, or to force 
them to do any thing beyond, far less contrary to, 
what the Lord leads us to by his Spirit : but we 
know (as they did of old) that the enemy lies near 
to betray under such pretences. And seeing, in 
case of difference, the Lord hath, and doth, and 
will reveal his will to his people, and hath, and 
doth raise up members of his body, to whom he 
gives a discerning, and power, and authority to 
instruct, reprove, yea, and command in some ca- 
ses, those that are faithful and low in their minds, 



23 

keeping their own places, and minding the Lord, 
and the interest and good of his truth in the gen- 
eral over all, shut out the murmurer; and the 
Spirit of God leads them to have unity, and con- 
cur with their brethren. But such as are heady 
and high-minded, are inwardly vexed, that any 
should lead or rule, but themselves: and so it is 
the high thing in themselves, that makes them 
quarrel with others for taking so much upon 
them ; pretending a liberty, not sinking down in 
the seed to be willing to be of no reputation for 
its sake. Such, rather than give up their own 
wills, will study to make rents and divisions, not 
sparing the flock ; but prostrating the reputation 
and honour of the truth even to the world, min- 
ister to them an occasion of scorn and laughter, 
to the hardening them in their wickedness and 
atheism. 

Besides these Scriptures mentioned, I shall set 
down a few of many more that might be in- 
stanced to the same purpose. 

Ephes. 5. 21. Submitting yourselves one to 
another in the fear of God. 

Phil. 2. 3. Let nothing be done through strife 
or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each 
esteem other better than themselves. 

Verse 29. Receive him therefore in the Lord 
with all gladness, and hold such in reputation. 

And 3. 17. Brethren, be followers together of 
me ; and mark them which walk so, as ye have 
us for an en sample. 

And 4. 9. Those things, which ye have both 
learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, 
do ; and the God of Peace shall be with vou ? 



24 

Col. 2. 5. For though I be absent in the flesh, 
yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and be- 
holding your order, and the steadfastness of your 
faith in Christ, 

1 Thess. 5. 12. And we beseech you brethren, 
to know them which labour among you, and are 
over you in the Lord, and admonish you. 

Verse 13. And to esteem them very highly in 
love, for their work's sake ; and be at peace a- 
mong yourselves. 

Verse 14. Now w r e exhort you brethren, warn 
them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, 
support the weak, be patient toward all men. 

2 Thess. 2- 15. Therefore, brethren, stand 
fast, and hold the traditions which you have been 
taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 

2. Cor. 10. 8. For though I should boast 
somewhat more of our authority (which the Lord 
hath given us for edification, and not for your 
destruction) I should not be ashamed. 

Now though the papists greatly abuse this 
place, as if hereby they could justify that mass of 
superstition, which they ha^e heaped together ; 
yet except we will deny the plain Scripture, 
we must needs believe, there lay an obligation 
upon the Thessalonians to observe and hold 
these appointments, and no doubt, needful insti- 
tutions, which by the apostles were recommend- 
ed unto them : And yet w r ho will say, that they 
ought, or were thereby commanded to do any 
thing contrary to that which the Grace of God 
in their hearts moved them to ? 

2 Thess. 3. 4. And we have confidence in the 
Lord touching you, that ye both do, and will do 
the things which we command you. 



25 

Yer. 6. Now we command you, brethren, in 
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ve with- 
draw yourselves from every brother that walketh 
disorderly, and not after die tradition which he 
received of us. 

What more positive than this ? and yet the 
apostle was not here an imposer. And yet furth- 
er, verse 14. And if any man obey not our word 
by this epistle, note that man, and have no com- 
pany with him, that he may be ashamed. 

Thus, Htb. 13. 7. Remember them which 
have the ride over you, who have spoken unto 
you the word of Godfcwhose faith follow; consi- 
dering the end of their conversation. 

Verse 1 7. Obey them that have the rule over 
you, arid submit yourselves; for they'v/atch for 
your souls, as they that must give account : that 
they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for 
that is unprofitable for you. 

Jude 8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers 
defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil 
of dignities. 

I might at length enlarge, if needful, upon 
these passages, any of which is sufficient to prove 
the matter in hand ; but that what is said may 
satisfy such as are not wilfully blind and obsti- 
nate. For there can be nothing more plain from 
these testimonies, than that the ancient apostles 
and primitive christians practised order and go- 
vernment in the church ; that some did appoint 
and ordain certain things ; condemn and approve 
certain practices, as well as doctrines, by the Spi- 
rit of God : that there lay an obligation in point 
of duty upon others to obey and submit : that 

C 



26 

this was no encroachment nor imposition upon 
their christian liberty; nor any ways contradicto- 
ry to their being inwardly and immediately led 
by the Spirit of God in their hearts : and lastly, 
That such as are in the true feeling and sense, 
will find it their places to obey, and be one with 
the Church of Christ in such like cases : and that 
it is such as have lost their sense and feeling of 
the life of the body, that dissent, and are disobe- 
dient, under the false pretence of liberty. So that 
thus it is sufficiently proved what I undertook in 
this place. 

Thirdly, I judge there iwill need no great ar- 
guments to prove the people of God may, and do 
well to exercise the like government upon the 
very like occasion. For even reason may teach 
us, that what proved good and wholesome cures 
to the distemper of the church in former ages, will 
not now r (the very like distempers falling in) prove 
hurtful and poisonable; especially, if we have the 
testimony of the same Spirit in our hearts : not 
only allowing us, but commanding us so to do. 
It is manifest (though we are sorry for it) that 
the same occasions now fall in ; we find that there 
are that have eaten and drunken with us at the 
table of the Lord, and have been sharers of the 
same spiritual joy and consolation, that after- 
wards fall away. We find, to our great grief, 
that some walk disorderly ; and some are puffed 
up, and strive to sow division, labouring to stum- 
ble the weak, and to cause offences in the Church 
of Christ. What then is more suitable, and 
more Christian, than to follow the foot-steps of 
#ie flock, and to labour and travel for the good 



27 

of the church, and for the removing all that is 
hurtful; even as the holy apostles, who walked 
with Jesus, did before us ? If there be such that 
walk disorderly now, must not they be admon- 
ished, rebuked and withdrawn from, as well as 
of old? Or is such to be the condition of the 
church in these latter times, that all iniquity must 
go unreproved? Must it be heresy, or oppres- 
sion, to watch over one another, in love? To 
take care for the poor? To see that there be no 
corrupt, no defiled members of the body, and 
carefully and christianly deal with them, for re- 
storing them, if possible ; and for withdrawing 
from them, if incurable ? I am persuaded, that 
there are none that look upon the commands of 
Christ, and his apostles, the practice and expe- 
rience of the primitive church and saints, as a 
sufficient precedent to authorise a practice now, 
that will deny the lawfulness or usefulness here- 
of, but must needs acknowledge the necessity of 
it. But if it be objected, (as some have done) 
do not you deny, that the scripture is the ade- 
quate rule of faith and manners; and that the 
commands or practices of the scripture are not a 
sufficient warrant for you now to do any thing, 
without you be again authorized, and led into it 
by the same spirit ? And upon that score, do you 
not forbear some things both practised and com- 
manded by the primitive church and saints ? 

Well, I hope I have not any thing weakened 
this objection, but presented it in its full vigour 
and strength : To which I shall clearlv and di- 

m O ml 

stmctly answer thus : 

First, Seasons and times do not alter the na- 



28 

ture and substance of things in themselves ; 
though it may cause things to alter, as to the use- 
fulness, or not usefulness of them. 

Secondly, Things commanded and practised at 
certain times and seasons fall of themselves, 
when as the cause and ground, for which they 
were commanded, is removed ; as their is no need 
now for the decision about circumcision, seeing 
there are none contend for it : neither as to the 
orders concerning things offered to idols, seeing 
there is 'now no such occasion : Yet who will 
say, that the command enjoined in the same 
place, Acts 15. 20. To abstain from fornication, 
is now made void ; seeing there is daily need for 
its standing in force, because it yet remains as 
a temptation man is incident to? we confess, in- 
deed, we are against such as from the bare let- 
ter of the scripture (though if it were seasonable 
now to debate it, we find but few to deal with r 
whose practices are so exactly squared) seek to 
uphold customs, forms or shadows, when the 
use, for which they were appointed, is removed, 
or the substance itself known and witnessed; as 
we have sufficiently elsewhere answered our op- 
posers in the case of water-baptism, and bread 
and wine, &x. So that the objection, as to that, 
doth not hold ; and the difference is very wide, 
in respect of such things : the very nature and 
substance of which can never be dispensed with 
by the people of God, so long as they are in this 
world ; yea, without which they could not be 
his people. For the doctrines, and fundamental 
principles of the christian faith, we own and be- 
Here originally and principally, because they are 



29 

the truths of God ; whereunto the Spirit of God 
in our hearts hath constrained our understand- 
ings to obey and submit. In the second place, 
we are greatly confirmed, strengthened and com- 
forted in the joint testimony of our brethren, the 
apostles and disciples of Christ, who by the re- 
velation of the same Spirit in the days of old be- 
lieved, and have left upon record the same truths ; 
so we having the same spirit of faith, according 
as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I 
spoken ; we also believe, and therefore we speak. 
And we deny not but some, that from the letter 
have had the notion of these things, have thereby 
in the mercy of God received occasion to have 
them revealed in the life : for we freely acknow- 
ledge (though often calumniated to the contrary) 
that whatsoever things were written aforetime, 
were written for our learning; that we through 
patience and comfort of the scriptures may have 
hope. So then I hope, if the Spirit of God lead 
me now unto that which is good, profitable, yea, 
and absolutely needful, in order to the keeping 
my conscience clear and void of offence towards 
God and man, none will be so unreasonable as to 
say, I ought not to do it, because it is according 
to the scriptures. Nor do I think it will savour 
ill among any serious, solid Christians, for me to 
be the more confirmed and persuaded that I am 
led to this thing by the Spirit, that I find it in 
myself good and useful ; and that upon the like 
occasions Christ commanded it, and the apostles 
and primitive Christians practised and recom- 
mended it. 

l^ow, seeing it is so that w r e can boldly say, 

c 2 



30 

with a good conscience in the sight of God, 
that the same Spirit, which leads us to believe 
the doctrines and principles of the truth, and to 
lipid and maintain them again, after the aposta- 
cy, in their primitive and ancient purity, as they 
were delivered by the apostles of Christ in the 
Holy Scriptures ; I say, that the same Spirit doth 
now lead us into the like holy order and govern- 
ment to be exercised among us, as it was among 
them, being now the like occasion and opportu- 
nity ministered to us ; therefore, what can any 
christianly or rationally object against it ? For 
that there is a real cause for it, the thing itself 
speaketh ; and that it was the practice of the 
saints and church of old, is undeniable : what 
kind of ground then can any such opposers have, 
(being such, as scrupling at this, do, notwith- 
standing, acknowledge our principle) that this 
were done by imposition or imitation, more than 
the belief of the doctrines and principles? Seeing 
as it is needful to use all diligence to convince 
and persuade people of the truth, and bring them 
to the belief of it, (which yet We cannot do, but 
as truth moves and draws in their hearts,) it is 
also no less needful, when a people is gathered, 
to keep and preserve them in unity and love, as 
becomes the Church of Christ ; and to be careful, 
as saith the apostle, That all things be done de- 
cently, and in order ; and that all that is wrong 
be removed according to the method of the gos- 
pel ; and the good cherished and encouraged. 
So that we conclude, and that upon very good 
grounds, That there ought now, as well as here- 
tofore, to be order and government in the Church 
M Christ, 



c 



That which now cometh to be examined in 
tlie third place is, 

First, What is the order and government we 
plead for ? 

Secondly, In what cases, and how far it may 
extend? And in whom the power decisive is ? 

Thirdly, How it differeth, and is wholly ano- 
ther than the oppressive and persecuting princi- 
pality of the church of Rome, and other anti- 
christian assemblies ? 



SECTION IV. 

Of the order and government which we plead for* 

It will be needful then, before I proceed to 
describe the order and government of the church, 
to consider what is or may be properly under- 
stood by the church : for some (as I touched be- 
fore) seem to be offended, or at least afraid of the 
Very word ; because the power of the church, the 
order of the church, the judgment of the church, 
and such like pretences, have been the great 
weapons wherewith antichrist and the apostate 
christians have been these many generations 
persecuting the woman, and warring against the 
man-child. And, indeed, great disputes have 
been among the learned Rabbies, in the apostacy 
concerning this church, what it is, or what may 
be so accounted ; which I find not my place at 
present to dive much in, but shall only give the 
true sense of it, according to truth, and the scrip- 
tures plain testimony* 



The word church in itself, and as used in the 
scriptures, is no ether but a gathering, company, 
or assembly of certain people, called or gathered 
together : for so the Greek word signifies, (which 
is that the translators render church) which word 
is derived from the verb Evoco, I call out of, 
from the root Foco, I call. Now though the En- 
glish word church be only taken in such a sense, 
as people are gathered together upon a religious 
account ; yet the Greek word, that is so render- 
ed, is taken in general for every gathering, or 
meeting together of people : and therefore where 
it is said, The town clerk of the Ephesians dis- 
missed the tumult, that was gathered there to- 
gether, the same Greek word is used, Acts 19. 
41. he dismissed the assembly, (or the church.) 

A church, then, in the scripture-phrase, is no 
other than a meeting or gathering of certain peo- 
ple, which, (if it be taken in a religious sense, 
as most commonly it is) are gathered together 
in the belief of the same principles, doctrines 
and points of faith, whereby as a body they be- 
come distinguished from others, and have a cer- 
tain relation among themselves; and a conjunct 
interest to the maintaining and propagating these 
principles they judge to be right : And therefore 
have a certain care and oversight over one ano- 
ther, to prevent and remove all occasions that 
may tend to break this their conjunct interest, 
hinder the propagation of it, or bring infamy, 
contempt, or contumely upon it ; or give such as 
on the other hand are, or may be banded togeth- 
er to undo them, just occasion against them, to 
decry and defame theirs 



33 

Now the way to distinguish that church, ga- 
thering^ or assembly of people, whereof Christ 
truly is the head, from such as falsely pretend 
thereto, is by considering the principles and 
grounds upon which they are gathered together, 
the nature of that hierarchy and order they have 
among themselves, the way and method they 
take to uphold it, and the bottom upon which it 
standeth ; which will greatly contribute to clear 
all mistakes. 

Forasmuch as sanctification and holiness is the 
great and chief end among true christians, which 
moves them to gather together; therefore the 
apostle Paul defines the Church in his salutation 
to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 1. 2. Unto the church 
of God which is at Corinth, them that are sancti- 
fied in Christ Jesus, called to be saints. So the 
church is such as are sanctified in Christ Jesus, 
called to be saints. 

The power and authority, order and govern- 
ment we speak of, is such, as a church, meeting, 
gathering or assembly claims towards those that 
have, or do declare themselves members, who 
own, believe and profess the same doctrines and 
principles of Faith with us, and go under the 
same distinction and denomination ; whose es- 
capes, faults and errors may by our adversaries 
justly be imputed to us, if not seasonably and 
christianly reproved, reclaimed or condemned. 
For we are not so foolish, as to concern ourselves 
with those who are not of us; far less, who stand 
in opposition to us, so as to reprove, instruct, or re- 
claim them as fellow members or brethren : Yet, 
with a respect to remove the general reproach 



34 

from the Christian name, with a tender regard to 
the good of their immortal souls, for the zeal we 
owe to God's glory, and for the exaltation and 
propagation of his everlasting truth and gospel in 
the earth, we have not been wanting, with the 
hazard of our lives, to seek the scattered ones, 
holding forth the living and sure foundation, and 
inviting and persuading all to obey the gospel of 
Christ, and to take notice of his reproofs, as he 
makes himself manifest in and by his light in their 
hearts. So our care and travel is, and hath been 
towards those that are without, that we may 
bring them into the fellowship of the saints hi 
light ; and towards those that are brought in, that 
they might not be led out again, or drawn aside, 
either to the left-hand, or the right, by the work- 
ings and temptations of the enemy. 

These things being thus cleared and opened, 
w r e do positively affirm, that we being a people 
gathered together by the power of God (which 
most, if not all of those, that arising among our- 
selves do oppose us herein, have acknowledged) 
into the belief of certain principles and doctrines, 
and also certain practices and performances, by 
which we are come to be separated and distin- 
guished from others, so as to meet apart, and al- 
so to suffer deeply for our joint testimony; there 
are and must of necessity be, as in the gathering 
of us, so in the preserving of us while gathered, 
diversities of gifts and operations for the edifying 
of the whole body. Hence, saith the apostle, 
1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the elders, that rule well, be 
counted worthy of double honour, especially they 
who labour in the word and doctrine: and this we 



55 

suppose neither to be popish nor antichristian, let 
our opposers say it as oft as they can, without 
reckoning the apostles such. 

Secondly, Forasmuch as all are not called in 
the same station ; some rich, some poor, some 
servants, some masters, some married, some un- 
married, some widows, and some orphans, and 
so forth ; it is not only convenient, but absolutely 
needful, that there be certain meetings at certain 
places and times, as may best suit the conveni- 
encies of such, who may be most particularly 
concerned in them ; where both those that are to 
take care may assemble, and those who may need 
this care, may come and make known their ne- 
cessities, and receive help, whether by counsel or 
supply, according to their respective needs. This 
doth not at all contradict the principle of being 
led inwardly and immediately by the Spirit ; else 
how came the apostle in that day of the powerful 
pouring forth of the Spirit of God, to set apart 
men for this purpose? Sure, this was not to lead 
them from their inward guide ; yea, on the con- 
trary, it is expressly said, Acts 6. S. Look ye out 
among you seven men of honest report, full of the 
Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom w T e may appoint 
over this business. Sure they were not to under- 
take a business, being full of the Holy Ghost, 
which might import a contradiction to their being 
led by it : so we see it is both fit and suitable to 
the apostle's doctrine,- to have meetings about 
business. Now if any should be so whimsical 
or conceited, as to scruple their being at set pla- 
ces and times, though these be nothing relative 
to the essential parts, but only circumstances re- 



36 

iating to the convcniency of our persons, (which 
we must have regard to, so long as we are cloth- 
ed with flesh and blood: and such notionists, as 
are against this godly care, work far more in their 
vain imaginations, than they reduce to practice ; 
being like unto such of whom the apostle James 
testified, who content themselves, with saying to 
Jie naked, be clothed; and to the hungry, be fed ; 
while they offer not, in the least, to minister to 
them "those things which are needful for cloth- 
ing and feeding of them.) Yet shall we not scru- 
ple to make it appear, that it is not without very 
good ground that we both appoint places and 
times. And first, as to the place, I say as before, 
it is with our bodies we must meet, as well as 
with our spirits ; and so, of necessity, we must 
convey our bodies unto one place, that we may 
speak and act in those things we meet for: And 
that must be in some certain place, where all 
must know where to find it ; having herein a re- 
gard to the conveniences and occasions of such 
as meet. Were it fit, that those of the church of 
Corinth should go do their business at Antioch, 
or the Church of Jerusalem at Rome ? Nay, 
surely, God hath not given us our reason to no 
purpose ; but that we should make use of it for 
his glory, and the good of our brethren, yet al- 
ways in subjection to his power and spirit. And 
therefore we have respect to these things in the 
appointing of our meetings, and do it not without 
a regard to the Lord^ but in a sense of his fear* 
And so the like as to times, which is no contra- 
dicting of the inward leading of the Spirit. Else 
how came the apostle to appoint a time to the 



37 

Corinthians in their contributions, desiring them, 
1 Cor. 16. 2. To lay by them in store upon the 
first day of the week ; yea, saith he not, that he 
gave the same order to the church of Galatia. I 
know not how any in reason can quarrel about 
set times for outward business, it being done in 
a subjection to God's will, as all things ought to 
be ; or else how can such as so do, but quarrel 
with the apostle for this imposition (at that rate) 
upon the churches of Corinth and Galatia ? We 
appoint no set times for the performance of the 
worship of God, so as to appoint men to preach 
and pray at such and such set times ; though we 
appoint times to meet together in the name of the 
Lord, that we may feel his presence, and he 
may move in and through whom he pleaseth, 
without limitation. Which practice of meeting 
together we are greatly encouraged to by the 
promise of Christ, and our own blessed experi- 
ence; and also we are severely prohibited to lay 
it aside by the holy apostle ; and also, on the 
other hand, by the sad experience of such as by 
negligence or prejudice forsake the assemblies of 
God's people ; upon many of which is already 
fulfilled, and upon others daily fulfilling, the judg- 
ments threatened upon such transgressors: read 
Heb. 10, from verse 23 to the end ; where that 
duty is so seriously exhorted to, and the contempt 
of it reckoned a wilful sin, almost (if not altoge- 
ther) unpardonable ; yea, a treading under foot 
the Son of God, and a doing despite to the Spi- 
rit of Grace ; which is fulfilled in our day, and 
proves the lamentable fruits of such as have so 
back-slidden among us. And therefore having 



38 



Bo much good and real ground for what we fio 
herein, together with the approbation and encour- 
agement of Christ and his apostles, both by com- 
mand and practice, we can (as that both the Alpha 
and Omega, the foundation and cap-stone requir- 
ed) faithfully affirm in good conscience, that God 
hath led us by his Spirit, both to appoint places 
and times, where we may see the faces one of an- 
other ; and to take care one for another, provok- 
ing one another to love and good works. And 
our faith and confidence herein cannot be stag- 
gered by a mere denial in our opposers, which no 
man of conscience and reason will say it ought ; 
seeing the thing itself hath such a solid and real 
cause and foundation, so good and suitable a pat- 
tern and example, and that it is constantly con- 
firmed to us, both by the testimony of God's 
Spirit in our hearts, and by the good fruits and 
effects which we daily reap thereby, as a seal and 
confirmation that God is well pleased therewith, 
and approveth us in it. 

Having thus far proceeded to shew that there 
ought to be order and government among the 
people of God, and that that which we plead for 
is, that there may be certain meetings set apart 
for that end ; it is next to be considered, in what 
cases, and how far it may extend. 



SECTION V. 

In what Cases, and how far this Government ex- 
tends. And firsts as to outwards and temporals. 

I shall begin with that which gave the first 
rise for this order among the apostles ; and I do 



39 

verily believe, might have been among the first 
occasions that gave the like among us, and that 
is, The care of the poor ; of widows and orphans. 
Love and compassion are the great, yea, and the 
chiefest marks of Christianity. Hereby shall it 
be known, saith Christ, that ye are my disciples, 
if ye love one another. And James the apostle 
places religion herein in the first place x Pure 
religion, saith he, and undefiled before God and 
the Father is, to visit the fatherless and widows 
in their afflictions, &c. For this then, as one 
main end, do we meet together, that enquiry may 
be made, if there be any poor of the household of 
faith that need, that they may be supplied ; that 
the widows may be taken care of; that the or- 
phans and fatherless may be bred up and educa- 
ted. Who will be so unchristian, as to reprove 
this good order and government, and to say it is 
needless? Bat if any will thus object, May not 
the Spirit lead every one of you to give to them 
that need ? What needs meeting about it, and 
such for mali ties ? 

I answer, The Spirit of God leads us so to do ; 
what can they say to the contrary ? Nor is this 
a practice any ways inconsistent with being in- 
wardly and immediately led by the Spirit ; for 
the Spirit of God doth now, as well as in the 
days of old, lead his people into those things 
which are orderly, and of a good report ; for he 
is the God of order, and not of confusion : And 
therefore the holy apostles judged it no incon- 
sistency with their being led by the spirit, to ap- 
point men full of the holy ghost, Hhd of wisdom, 
over the business of the poor. Now if to be full 



40 

of the holy ghost be a qualification needful for 
this employment ; surely the nature of their em- m 
ployment was not to render this so needful a 
qualification useless and ineffectual, as if they 
were not to be led by it. 

Moreover we see, though they were at that 
time all filled with the Spirit, yet there was 
something wanting before this good order was 
established. There was a murmuring that some 
widows were neglected in the daily ministration ; 
and we must not suppose the apostles went about 
to remedy this evil that was creeping into the 
Church, without the counsel of God by his Spi- 
rit, or that this remedy they were led to, was 
stepping into apostacy ; neither can it be so said 
of us, we proceeding upon the like occasion. 

If then it be thus needful and suitable to the 
gospel, to relieve the necessities of the poor, that 
as there was no beggar to be among Israel of old, 
so far less now ; must there not be meetings to 
appoint contributions, in order to the performing 
these things ? Which is no other, but the giving 
of a general intimation what the needs are, that 
every one, as God moves their hearts, and hath 
prospered them, (without imposition, force, or 
limitation) may give towards these needful uses. 
In which case these murmurers at our good or- 
der in such matters may well think strange at 
the apostle : How pressingly ! how earnestly doth 
he reiterate his desires and provocations, so to 
speak, in this respect to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 
16. 2. and the eighth and ninth chapters of the 
second epistl dtfhroughout ! 

Now, though he testifies to them elsewhere. 



41 

That they are the temples of the Holy Ghost, and 
that the Spirit of God dwells in them ; yet ceaseth 
he not to entreat and exhort, yea, and to give 
them certain orders in this matter. 

Besides all these reasons, which are sufficient 
to convince any unprejudicate man, the secret 
approbation of God's Spirit accompanying us in 
this thing, together with the fruits and effects of 
it ; which hundreds can witness to, whose needs 
have been supplied, and themselves helped 
through divers difficulties ; and the testimonies 
of some already, and of many more orphans and 
fatherless children, who have found no want, 
neither of father nor mother, or other relations, 
through the tender love and care of God's people, 
in putting them to trades and employments, and 
giving them all needful education : which will 
make it appear, ere this age pass away, to those 
that have an eye to see, that these are not the 
mere doings and orders of men; but the work of 
him who is appearing in ten thousands of his 
saints, to establish not only truth, but mercy and 
righteousness in the earth. 

And foF that end therefore, in the second place, 
this order reacheth the making up and composing 
of differences as to outward things, which may 
fall out betwixt friend and friend ; for such things 
may fali out through the intricacies of divers af- 
fairs, where neither hath any positive intention to 
injure and defraud his neighbour, as in many 
cases might be instanced. Or. if through the 
Workings and temptations of him, -whose work is 
to beset the faithful, and people of the Lord, and 
to engender, (so far as he can) strife and division 

•D-.2 



42 

ariiong them, any should so step aside, as to often 
to wrong or prejudice his neighbour; we do 
"boldly aver, as a people gathered together by the 
Lord, unto the samfe faith, and distinguished from 
all others by our joint- testimony and sufferings, 
that we have power and authority to decide and 
remove these things among ourselves, without 
going to others to seek redress. And this in it- 
self hath so much reason, that I cannot tell if any, 
that are not wholly prejudicate or obstinate, can 
blame it. For if we be of one mind concerning 
faith and religion, and that it be our jqint interest 
to bring all others unto the same truth with us, 
as supposing them to be wrong, what confidence 
can we have to think of reclaiming them, if the 
truth we profess have not such efficacy as to re- 
concile us among ourselves in the matters of this 
world : if we be forced to go out to others for 
equity and justice, because we cannot find it 
among ourselves, how can we expect to invite 
them to come among us, when such virtues, as 
which still accompany the truth, are necessarily 
supposed to be wanting ? Should we affirm other- 
wise, it were to destroy the truth and faith we 
have been, and are, in the Lord's hand, building 
up : and indeed the spirit and practice of such as 
oppose us herein, hath no less tendency. 

Moreover, besides the enforcing and intrinsic 
reason of this thing, we have the concurrence 
approbation and comfort of the apostle's testimo- 
ny, 1 Cor. 6. Dare any of you, having a matter 
against another, go to law before the unjust, and 
not before the saints? If it be objected, do you 
reckon all unjust that are not of you ? Think ye 
all other people void of justice ? 



43 

I answer, thdugh the apostle useth this ex 
pression, I am persuaded he did not reckon all 
others unjust, that had not received then the 
christian faith. There were, no doubt, moral 
and just men among the heathen; and therefore 
the same Paul commends the nobility of Festus* 
He there reckons them unjust in respect of the 
saints, or comparatively with them, as such as 
are not come to the just principle of God in them- 
selves, to obey it and follow it: and therefore 
though he accounts them, who are least esteemed 
in the church, capable to decide such matters : 
yet he supposeth it safer to submit to their judg- 
ment in such cases, though it were by taking 
wrong, or suffering wrong, than to go before 
others to the greater reproach of the truth. We 
hope, though many occasions of the kind have 
fallen in among us, since w r e have been a people, 
none have had just occasion to decline our judg- 
ment. And though some should suppose them- 
selves to be wronged ; yet if they should bring 
their matter before others, we might say, as the 
apostle saith in the fore-mentioned chapter, 
ver. 7. This were thereby a fault in them, and 
would evidence a greater care of some outward 
eoncern, than of the honour and interest of truth ; 
and therefore such as have a tender regard that 
way, would rathy suffer what, to their apprehen- 
sions, may seemwrong. For in matters wherein 
two parties are opposite in the case of Meum and 
Tuum, it is somewhat hard to please both; ex- 
cept were the power of truth, and the righteous 
judgment thereof reaching to that of God in the 
conscience, hath brought to a true acknowledge 



44 

ment him that hath been mistaken, or in the 
wrong; which hath frequently fallen out among 
lis, to the often refreshing and confirming our 
souls in the certain belief, that Christ was fulfil- 
ling his promises among us,- In restoring judges, 
as at the first, and counsellors, as in the begin- 
ning. 

Now, suppose any should be so pettish, or hu- 
morous, as not to agree in such matters to the 
judgment of his brethren, and to go before the 
unbelievers (for though I reckon them not such 
unbelievers as the heathen of old, because they 
profess a faith in God and Christ; yet I may 
safely say, they are unbelievers as to these prin- 
ciples and doctrines, which we know are the 
truth of God ; and in that sense must be unbe- 
lievers as to him, that so appealeth to them from 
his brethren.) I say, such as so do, first commit 
a certain hurt, and evil, in staining the honour 
and reputation of the truth they profess, which 
ought to be dearer to us than our lives. And 
even in that outward matter, for which they thus 
do, they run a hazard, not knowing whether 
things shall carry, as they expect: if they lose* 
they have a double prejudice ; if they gain, it is 
at too dear rate, even with the hurt of truth's 
reputation, which their outward advantage can- 
not make up. If then it be unlawful to do evil, 
that good may come of it, everra spiritual good ; 
far less is it lawful to do a positive evil, of so 
deep a dye as to bring an evil report upon the 
good land, and give the uneircumcised an occa- 
sion to rejoice : out of the uncertain hope of an 
outward gain, it is far better to suffer loss, as the 



45 

apostle very well argues in the place above-men- 
tioned. 

Indeed, if there be any such, who have been, 
or appear to be of us, as suppose, There is not a 
wise man among us all, nor an honest man, that 
is able to judge betwixt his brethren ; we shall 
not covet to meddle in their matter, being per- 
suaded, that either they, or their cause is nought. 
Though (praises to God) among all those that 
have gone from us, either upon one account or 
other, I never heard that any were so minded to- 
wards us ; but the most part of them having let 
in the oifence of some things, or persons, have 
had this unanimous testimony concerning us, 
that generally we are an honest and upright-heart- 
ed people. 

But 'whatever sense our enemies, or apostates 
have of us, who look asquint on the face of truth, 
and can see nothing aright in those they love not, 
or are prejudicate against: this we can say, in the 
last place (besides the reasons and Scripture above 
declared) that the good fruits, and effects which 
daily «ibound to the household of faith, in this, as 
well as the other parts of the government the 
Lord is establishing among us, doth more and 
more commend it unto us; and confirmeth our 
hearts in the certain belief of that, which we can 
confidently testify in good conscience, that God 
hath led us hereunto by his Spirit; and we see the 
hand of the Lord herein, which in due time wilt 
yet more appear; that, as through our faithful tes- 
timony in the hand of the Lord, that antichristian 
and apostatised generation, the national ministry^ 
hath received a deadly blow by our discovering 



46 

and witnessing against their forced mamtainance, 
and tythes, against which we have testified by 
many cruel sufferings of all kinds (as our chron- 
icles shall make known to generations to come) 
so that their kingdom, in the hearts of thousands, 
begins to totter and lose its strength, and shall 
assuredly fall to the ground, through truth's pre- 
vailing in the earth ; so on the other hand do we, 
by coming to righteousness and innocency, 
weaken the strengdi of their kingdom, who judge 
for rewards (as well as such as preach for hire) 
and by not ministering occasion to those, whet 
have heaped up riches, and lived in excess, lust 
and riot, by feeding and preying upon the iniqui- 
ties and contentions of the people. For as truth 
and righteousness prevails in the earth, by our 
faithful witnessing and keeping to it, the nations 
shall come to be eased and disburdened of that 
deceitful tribe of lawyers (as well as priests) who, 
by their many tricks and endless intricacies, have 
rendered justice, in their method, burdensome to 
honest men, and seek not so much to put an end, 
as to forwent controversies and contentions, that 
they themselves may be still fed and upheld, and 
their trade kept up. Whereas by truth's propa- 
gation, as many of these controversies will die by 
mens' coming to be less contentious ; so when any 
difference ariseth, the saints giving judgment 
without gift or reward, or running into the tricks 
and endless labyrinths of the lawyers, will soon 
compose them. And this is that we are persuaded 
the Lord is bringingabout in ourday, though many 
do not, and many will not see it; because it is in- 
deed in a way different and contrary to men's wis- 



47 

dom, who are now despising Christ in his inward 
appearance, because of the meanness of it, as the 
Jews of old did him in his outward : yet notwith- 
standing there were some then that did witness, 
and could not be silent, but must testify that He 
was come ; even so now are there thousands that 
can set to their seal, that he hath now again the 
second time appeared, and is appearing in ten 
thousands of his saints ; in and among whom (as 
a first fruits of many more that shall be gathered) 
he is restoring the golden age, and bringing them 
into the holy order and government of his own 
son, who is ruling, and to rule in the midst of 
them, setting forth the counsellors as at the be- 
ginning, and judges as at first ; and establishing 
truth, mercy, righteousness and judgment again 
in the earth : Amen, hallelujah ! 

Thirdly, These meetings take care in the case 
of marriages, that all things be clear; and that 
there may be nothing done in that procedure, 
whieh afterwards may prove to the prejudice of 
truth, or of the parties concerned ; which being 
an outward thing (that is acknowledged in it- 
self to be lawful) of the greatest importance a 
man or woman can perform ip this world; and 
from the sudden, unwary, or disorderly proce- 
dure whereof, very great snares and reproaches 
may be cast both upon the parties, and the 
profession owned by them ; therefore it doth 
very fitly, among other things, when it occurs, 
come to be considered of by the people of God, 
when met, to take care to preserve all things 
right and savoury in the household of Faith. 
We do believe, our adversaries, that watch 



48 

for evil against us, would be glad how pro- 
miscuously or disorderly we proceeded in this 
weighty matter, that so they might the more 
boldly accuse us, as over turners of all human and 
christian order : but God hath not left us without 
his counsel and wisdom in this thing ; nor will 
he, that any should receive just occasion against 
us his people : and therefore in this weighty con- 
cern, we, who can do nothing against the truth, 
but all for, and with regard to the truth, have 
divers testimonies for the Lord. And, 

First, That we cannot marry with those that 
walk not in, and obey not the truth, as being of 
another judgment or fellowship ; or pretending to 
it, walk not suitably and answerable thereto. 

Secondly, Nor can we go to the hireling priests, 
to uphold their false and usurped authority ; who 
take upon them to marry people without any 
command or precedent for it from the law of God. 

Lastly, Nor can we suffer any such kind of 
marriages to pass among us, which, either as to 
the degrees of consanguinity, or otherwise, in 
itself is unlawful, or from which there may be 
any just reflection cast upon our way. 

As to the first t\vo, they being matter of prin- 
ciple received and believed, it is not my work 
here to debate them; only since they are received 
and owned as such (for which we can, and have 
given our sufficient reasons elsewhere, as for our 
other principles) we ought to care how any by walk- 
ing otherwise, bring reproach upon us ; yet not 
to pass them wholly by, as to the first. Besides 
the testimony of the Spirit of God in our hearts 
(which is the original ground of our faith in all 



49 

things) we have the testimony of the apostle Paul, 
2 Cor. 6. 14. Be ye not unequally yoked togeth- 
er, &c. Now if any should think it were much 
from this Scripture to plead it absolutely unlaw- 
ful, in any case, to join in marriage with any 
(however otherwise sober) because of their not 
being one with us in all things, I shall speak my 
judgment. To me it appears so; and to many 
more who have obtained mercy; and we think we 
have the Spirit of God. But whether it be lawful 
or not, I can say positively, It is not expedient, 
neither doth it edify, and (as that which is of 
dangerous consequence) doth give justly offence 
to the Church of Christ : and therefore no true 
tender heart will prefer his private love to the 
good and interest of the whole body. 

As for the second, In that we deny the priests 
their assumed authority and power to marry, it is 
that which in no wise we can recede from, nor 
can we own any in the doing of it ; it being a part 
of our testimony against the usurpations of that 
generation, who never yet, that I ever heard of, 
could produce any Scripture proof or example 
for it. And seeing none can pretend conscience 
in the matter (for they themselves confess that it 
is no part of the essence of marriage) if any, pre- 
tending to be among us, should through fear, 
interest, or prejudice to the truth, come under, 
and bow to, that image, have we not reason to 
deny such slavish and ignoble spirits, as mind 
not truth and its testimony? 

Lastly, Seeing if any walking with us, or going 
under the same name, should hastily or disorder- 
ly go together, either being within the degrees of 

E 



* & 



50 

consanguinity, which the law of God forbids, or 
that either party should have been formerly under 
any tie or obligation to others, or any other vast 
disproportion, which might bring a just reflection 
upon us from our opposers ; can any blame us 
for taking care to prevent these evils, by appoint- 
ing that such, as so design, make known their 
intentions to these churches or assemblies, where 
they are most known, that if any know just cause 
of hindrance, it may be mentioned, and a timous 
let put to the hurt, either by stopping it, if they 
can be brought to condescend; or by refusing to 
be witnesses and concurrers with them in it, if 
they will not? For we take not upon us to hinder 
any to marry, otherwise than by advice, or dis- 
concerning ourselves ; neither do we judge, that 
such as do marry contrary to our mind, that 
therefore their marriage is null and void in itself, 
or may be dissolved afterwards ; nay, all our med- 
dling is in a holy care for the truth. For if the 
thing be right, all that we do is to be witnes- 
ses; and if otherwise, that we may say for our 
vindication to such as may upbraid us therewith, 
that we advised otherwise, and did no ways con- 
cur in the matter; that so they may bear their 
own burden, and the truth and people of God be 
cleared. 

Now I am confident that our way herein is so 
answerable to reason and Christianity, that none 
will blame us therefor ; except either such, whose 
irregular and impatient lusts cannot suffer a se- 
rious and christian examination, and an advised 
and moderate procedure ; or such, who w r atching 
for evil against us, are sorry we should proceed 



<y I 



51 

so orderly, and would rather we should suffer all 
manner of irregularities and abominations, that 
they might have the more to say against us. But 
the solid and real reasons we have for our way 
herein, will sufficiently plead for us in the hearts 
of all sober men ; and moreover, the testimony of 
God's Spirit in our hearts doth abundantly con- 
firm us both against the folly of the one, and the 
envy of the other. 

Fourthly, There being nothing more needful, 
than to preserve men and women in righteous- 
ness, after they are brought into it ; and also 
nothing more certain, than that the great enemy 
of man's soul seeks daily how he may draw 
back again, and catch those who have in some 
measure escaped his snares, and known deliver- 
ance from them ; therefore do we also meet to- 
gether, that we may receive an opportunity to 
understand, if any have fallen under his tempta- 
tions, that we may restore them again, if possible ; 
or otherwise separate them from us. Surely, if 
we did not so, we might be justly blamed as such, 
among whom it were lawful to commit any evil 
unreproved ; indeed this were to be guilty of that 
libertinism which some have falsely accused us 
of, and which hath been our care all along, as 
became the people of God, to avoid ; therefore, 
we have sought always to keep the house clean, 
by faithfully reproving and removing, according 
to the nature of the offence, and the scandal fol- 
lowing thereupon ; private things privately, and 
public things publicly. We desire not to propa- 
gate hurt, and defile peoples minds, with telling 
them such things as tend not to edify ; yet do we 



52 

not so cover over, or smooth over any wick- 
edness, as not to deal roundly with the persons 
guilty, and causing them to take away the scan- 
dal in their acknowledgment before all, to whose 
knowledge it hath come : yet judge we not our- 
selves obliged to tell that in Gath, or publish that 
in the streets of Askelon, which make the 
daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice ; or 
strengthen Atheists and Ranters in their obdu- 
rateness, who feed more upon the failings of the 
.saints, than to imitate their true repentance. And 
therefore where we find an unfeigning returning to 
the Lord, we desire not to remember that which 
the Lord hath forgotten , nor yet to tjirow offen- 
ces in the way of the weak, that they may stum- 
ble upon them. 

And therefore I conclude, that our care as to 
these things also is most needful, and a part of 
that order and government, which the church of 
Christ never was, nor can be without ; as doth 
abundantly appear by divers scriptures heretofore 
mentioned 



SECTION VI. 

How far this government doth extend in matters 
spiritual and purely conscientious. 

Thus far I have considered the order and go- 
vernment of the church, as it respects outward 
things ; and its authority in condemning or re- 
moving such things, which in themselves are 
evil, as being those, which none will readily jus- 



53 

tify. the necessity of which things is such, that 
few but will acknowledge the care and order in 
these cases to be commendable and expedient. 

Now I come to consider the things of another 
kind, which either verily are, or are supposed to 
be matters of conscience, or at least, wherein 
people may lay claim to conscience ', in the acting 
,or forbearing of them. In which the great ques- 
tion is, How far in such cases the church may 
give positive orders or rules? How far her au- 
thority reacheth, or may be supposed to be bind- 
ing, and ought to be submitted to ? For the bet- 
ter clearing and examination of which, it will be 
fit to consider, 

First, Whether the Church of Christ hath 
power in any cases that are matters of conscience, 
to give a positive sentence, and decision, which 
may be obligatory upon believers? 

Secondly, If so, in what cases and respects she 
may so do? 

Thirdly, Wherein consists the freedom and 
liberty of conscience, which may be exercised 
by the members of the true church diversely, 
without judging one another ? 

And lastly, In whom the power decisive is, in 
case of controversy, or contention in such mat- 
ters ? — Which will also lead us to observe the 
vast difference betwixt us and the papists, and 
others in this particular. 

As to the first, whether the Church of Christ 
hath power in any cases, that are matters of con- 
science, to give a positive sentence and decision, 
which may be obligatory upon believers. 

I answer affirmatively, she hath ; and shall 

e 2 



54 

prove it from divers instances, both from scrip- 
ture and reason. For first, all principles and ar- 
ticles of faith, which are held doctrinally, are, in 
respect to those that believe them, matters of 
conscience. We know the Papists do, out of 
conscience (such as are zealous among them) 
adore, worship and pray to Angels, Saints and 
Images, yea, and to the Eucharist, as judging it 
to be really Christ Jesus ; and so do others place 
conscience in things that are absolutely wrong : 
now I say, we being gathered together into the 
belief of certain principles and doctrines, without 
any constraint or worldly respect, but by the 
mere force of truth upon our understanding, and 
its power and influence upon our hearts ; these 
principles and doctrines, and the practices neces- 
sarily depending upon them are, as it were, the 
terms that have drawn us together, and the* 
bond, by which we became centred into one body 
and fellowship, and distinguished from others. 
Now if any one, or more, so engaged with us> 
should arise to teach any other doctrine or doc- 
trines, contrary to these which were the ground 
of our being one ; who can deny, but the body 
hath power in such a case to declare, This is not 
according to the truth we profess ; and therefore 
we pronounce such and such doctrines to be 
wrong, with which we cannot have unity, nor 

* Yet this is not so the bond, but that we have also a more in- 
ward and invisible, to wit,, the life of righteousness, whereby we 
also have unity with the upright seed in all, even in those, whose 
understandings are not yet so enlightened. But to those who are 
mice enlightened, this is as an outward bond; and if they suffer 
themselves to be darkened through disobedience, which as it does 
}a the outward bond* so it doth in the inward. 



55 

yet any more spiritual fellowship with those that 
hold them ? And so cut themselves off from be- 
ing members, by dissolving the very bond by 
which they were linked to the body. Now this 
cannot be accounted tyranny and oppression, no 
more than in a civil society, if one of the society 
shall contradict one or more of the fundamental 
articles, upon which the society was contracted, 
it cannot be reckoned a breach or iniquity in the 
whole society to declare, that such contradictors 
have done wrong, and forfeited their right in that 
society ; in case, by the original constitution, the 
nature of the contradiction implies such a forfei- 
ture, as usually it is ; and will no doubt hold ii> 
religious matters. As if a body be gathered into 
one fellowship, by the belief of certain principles^ 
he that comes to believe otherwise, naturally scat- 
tereth himself; for that the cause, that gathered 
him, is taken away : and so those that abide con- 
stant in declaring the thing to be so as it is, and in 
looking upon him, and witnessing of him to others 
(if need be) to be such, as he has made himself, 
do him no injury. I shall make the supposition 
in the general, and let every people make the ap- 
plication to themselves, abstracting from us ; and 
then let conscience and reason in every impar- 
tial reader declare, whether or not it doth not 
hold ? Suppose a people really gathered unto the 
belief of the true and certain principles of the 
gospel, if any of these people shall arise and con- 
tradict any of those fundamental truths, whether 
has not such as stand, good right to cast such an 
one out from among them, and to pronounce, 
positively 3 This is contrary to the truth we pro- 



56 

fess and own ; and therefore ought to be rejected* 
and not received, nor yet he that asserts it as one 
of us ? And is not this obligatory upon all the 
members, seeing all are concerned in the like care 
as to themselves, to hold the right and shut out 
the wrong ? I cannot tell, if any man of reason 
can well deny this : however, I shall prove it next 
from the testimony of the scripture. 

Gal. 1. 8. But though we, or an angel from 
heaver^ preach any other gospel unto you, than 
that which we have preached unto you, let him be 
accursed. As we said before, so say I now a- 
gain, if any man preach any other gospel unto you 
than that ye have received, let him be accursed, 
1 Tim. 1.19, 20. Holding faith and a good con- 
science, which some having put away, concerning 
faith, have made shipwreck. Of whom is Hyme- 
nceus and Alexander, whom I have delivered un- 
to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. 

2 John 10. If there come any unto you, and 
bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your 
house, neither bid him rejoice. (For so the 
Greek hath it.) 

These Scriptures are so clear and plain in 
themselves, as to this purpose, that they need no 
great exposition to the unbiassed and unpreju- 
dicate reader. For seeing it is so, that in the true 
church there may men arise, and speak perverse 
things, contrary to the doctrine and gospel alrea- 
dy received; what is to be the place of those that 
hold the pure and ancient truth? must they look 
upon these perverse men still as their brethren? 
must they cherish them as fellow members, or 
must they judge, condemn and deny them? We 



57 

must not think the apostle wanted charity, who 
will have them accursed ; and that gave Hyme- 
naeus and Alexander over to Satan, after that they 
had departed from the true faith, that they might 
learn not to blaspheme. In short, if we must (as 
our opposers herein acknowledge) preserve and 
keep those that are come to own the truth, by 
the same means they were gathered and brought 
into it , we must not cease to be plain with them, 
and tell them, when they are wrong ; and by 
sound doctrine both exhort and convince gain- 
sayers. If the apostles of Christ of old, and the 
preachers of the everlasting gospel in this day, 
had told all people, however wrong they found 
them in their faith and principles, Our charity 
and love is such, we dare not judge you, nor se- 
parate from you; but let us all live in love toge- 
ther, and every one enjoy his own opinion, and 
all will be well : how should the nations have 
been ; or what way can they be brought to truth 
and righteousness? would not the devil love this 
doctrine well, by which, darkness and ignorance, 
error and confusion might still continue in the 
earth unreproved and uncondemned; if it was 
needful then for the apostles of Christ in the days 
of old to reprove, without sparing to tell the high- 
priests and great professors among the Jews, that 
they were stubborn and stiff-necked, and always 
resisted the Holy Ghost, without being guilty of 
imposition and oppression, or want of true love 
and charity ; and also for those messengers the 
Lord raised up in this day, to reprove and cry out 
against the hireling priests, and to tell the world 
openly, both professors and profane, that they 



58 

were in darkness and ignorance, out of the truth, 
strangers and aliens from the commonwealth of 
Israel ; if God has gathered a people, by this 
means, into the belief of one and the same truth, 
must not they, if they turn and depart from it, 
be admonished, reproved and condemned (yea, 
rather than those that are not yet come to the 
truth,) because they crucify afresh unto them- 
selves the Lord of glory, and put him to open 
shame ? It seems the apostle judged it very 
needful they should be so dealt with, Tit, 1. 10. 
when he says, There are many unruly and vain talk- 
ers and deceivers, especially they of the circum- 
cision, whose mouths must be stopped, &c. Were 
such a principle to be received or believed, that 
in the Church of Christ no man should be sepa- 
rated from, no man condemned or excluded the 
fellowship and communion of the body, for his 
judgment or opinion in matters of faith, then what 
blasphemies so horrid, what heresies so damna- 
ble, what doctrines of devils, but might harbour 
itself in the Church of Christ ? What need then 
of sound doctrine, if no doctrine make unsound ? 
What need of convincing and exhorting gain- 
say ers, if to gainsay be no crime? Where should 
the unity of the faith be ? Were not this an inlet 
to all manner of abomination ; and to make void 
the whole tendency of Christ, and his apostles' 
doctrine ; and render the gospel of none effect ; 
and give a liberty to the unconstant and giddy 
will of man to innovate, alter and overturn it at 
his pleasure ? So that from all that is above men- 
tioned, we do safely conclude, that where a peo- 
ple are gathered together into the belief of the 



59 

principles and doctrines of the gospel of Christ, 
if any of that people shall go from their princi- 
ples, and assert things false and contrary to what 
they have already received ; such as stand and 
abide firm in the faith, have power, by the Spirit 
of God, after they have used Christian endeavours 
to convince and reclaim them, upon their obsti. 
nacy, to separate from such, and to exclude them 
from their spiritual fellowship and communion : 
For otherwise, if this be denied, farewell to all 
Christianity, or to the maintaining of any sound 
doctrine in the Church of Christ. 

But, secondly, taking it for granted, that the 
Church of Christ, or assembly of believers, may, 
in some cases, that are matter of conscience, 
pronounce a positive sentence and judgment with- 
out hazard of imposition upon the members, it 
comes to be enquired; In what cases, and how 
far this power reacheth ? 

I answer, First, As that which is most clear 
and undeniable, in the fundamental principles and 
doctrines of faith, in case any should offer to 
teach otherwise, as is above declared and proved. 
But some may perhaps acknowledge, that indeed 
if any should contradict the known and owned 
principles of truth, and teach otherwise, it were 
fit to cast out and exclude such ; but what judgest 
thou as to lesser matters, as in principles of less 
consequence, or in outward ceremonies or ges- 
tures, whether it be fit to press uniformity in 
these things ? For answer to this, it is fit to con- 
sider, 

First, The nature of the things themselves. 

Secondly, The spirit and ground they proceed 
from. 



60 

And thirdly, The consequence and tendency 
of them. 

But before I proceed upon these, I affirm, and 
that according to truth, that as the church and 
assembly of God's people may, and hath power 
to decide by the Spirit of God in matters funda- 
mental and weighty (without which no decision 
nor decree in whatever matters is available) so 
the same church and assembly also, in other mat- 
ters of less moment, as to themselves (yet being 
needful and expedient with a respect to the cir- 
cumstance of time, place and other things that 
may fall in) may and hath power by the same 
spirit, and not otherwise, being acted, moved and 
assisted, and led by it thereto, to pronounce a 
positive judgment: which, no doubt, will be 
found obligatory upon all such who have a sense 
and feeling of the mind of the Spirit, though re- 
jected by such as are not watchful, and so are out 
of the feeling and unity of the life. And this is 
that which none that own immediate revelation, 
or a being inwardly led by the Spirit, to be now 
a thing expected or dispensed to the saints^ can, 
without contradicting their own principle, deny ; 
far less such with whom I have to do in this mat- 
ter, who claiming this privilege to particulars ; 
saying, That they being moved to do such and 
such things, though contrary to the mind and 
sense of their brethren, are not to be judged for 
it ; adding, Why may it not be so, that God hath 
moved them to it? Now if this be a sufficient 
reason for them to suppose as to one or two, I 
may without absurdity suppose it as well to the 
whole body. And therefore as to the first, to wit, 



61 

The nature of the things themselves. If it be 
such a thing, the doing or not doing whereof, that 
is, either any act, or the forbearance of an}', may 
bring a real reproach or ground of accusation a- 
gainst the truth professed and owned, and in and 
through which there may a visible schism and 
dissention arise in the church, by which truth's 
enemies may be gratified, and itself brought into 
disesteem; then it is fit for such, whose care is to 
keep all right, to take inspection in the matter, to 
meet together in the fear of God, to wait for his 
counsel and to speak forth his mind, according 
as he shall manifest himself in and among them. 
And this was the practice of the primitive church 
in the matter of circui|pcision* For here lay the 
debate : some thought it not needful to circum- 
cise the Gentiles ; others thought it a thing not 
to be dispensed with: and no doubt of these (for 
we must remember they were not the rebellious 
Jews, but such as had already believed in Christ) 
there were that did it out of conscience, as judg- 
ing circumcision to be still obligatory. For they 
said thus, except ye be circumcised after the 
manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. Now 
what course took the church of Antioch in these 
cases? Acts 15. 2. They determined that Paul 
and Barnabas and certain other of them should 
go unto Jerusalem, unto the apostles and elders, 
about this question. We must not suppose they 
wanted the Spirit of God at Antioch to have de- 
cided the matter, neither that these apostles ne- 
glected or went from their inward guide in un- 
dertaking this journey; yet we see, they judged 
it meet in this matter to have the advice and con- 

F 



62 

eurrence of the apostles and elders that were at 
Jerusalem, that they might be all of one mind in 
the matter. For there is no greater property of 
the Church of Christ, than pure unity in the 
Spirit; that is, a consenting and oneness in judg- 
ment and practices in matters of faith and worship 
(which yet admits of different measures, growths 
and motions, but never contrary and contradicto- 
ry ones; and in these diversities of operations, yet 
Still, by the same spirit, the true liberty is exer- 
cised, as shall be declared hereafter:) therefore 
prayeth Christ, That they all may be one, as he 
and the Father is one. To which purpose also let 
these following Scriptures be examined : 

Rom, 12. 16, Be of the same mind one to- 
wards another. 

1, Cor. 1. 10. Now I beseech you brethren, 
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all 
speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions 
among you; but that ye be perfectly joined toge- 
ther in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

Ephes. 5. 21. Submitting yourselves one to 
another in the fear of God. 

Phil. 2. 2. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like- 
minded, having the same love, being of one ac- 
cord, of one mind. 

And yet more remarkable is that of the apostle 
Paul to the Philippians, chap. 3. verse 15, Let 
us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus 
minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise 
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 

16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already 
attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us 
mind the same thing. 



63 

17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and 
mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an 
example. 

So here, though the apostle grants forbearance 
in things wherein they have not yet attained ; yet 
he concludes they must walk so, as they have 
him for an example, and so consequently not 
contrary, or otherwise. And therefore we con- 
elude, that whereas any in the Church of God 
pretending conscience or revelation, shall arise to 
teach and practise (however insignificant or small 
in themselves) whether principles or practices, 
yet if they be contrary to such as are already re- 
ceived as true, and confirmed by God's Spirit 
in the hearts of the saints, and that the introduc- 
ing of these things tend to bring reproach upon 
the truth, as such as are not edifying in them- 
selves, and so stumble the weak; those who have 
a true and right discerning, may, in and by the 
power of God authorizing them (and no other- 
wise) condemn and judge such things : and they 
so doing it, it will be obligatory upon all the mem- 
bers that have a true sense, because they will 
feel it to be so, and therefore submit to it. And 
thus far as to the nature of the things themselves. 

Secondly, As to the spirit and ground they 
proceed from. Whatsoever innovation, differ - 
ence, or divers appearance, whether in doctrine 
or practice, proceedeth not from the pure moving 
of the Spirit of God, or is not done out of pure 
tenderness of conscience, but either from that, 
which being puft up, affecteth singularity, and 
there-through would be observed, commended 
and exalted ; or from that, which is the malignity 



64 

of some humours and natural tempers, which 
will be contradicting without cause, and secretly 
begetting of divisions, animosities and emulations, 
by which the unity and unfeigned love of the 
brethren is lessened or rent ; I say, all things pro- 
ceeding from this root and spirit, however little 
they may be supposed to be of themselves, are 
to be guarded against, withstood and denied, as 
hurtful to the true church's peace, and a hin- 
drance to the prosperity of truth. 

If it be said, How know ye that these things 
proceed from that ground ? 

For answer, I make not here any application, 
as to particular persons or things ; but if it be 
granted, (as it cannot be denied,) that there may 
arise persons in the true church, that may do 
such things from such a spirit, though pretend- 
ing conscience and tenderness j then it must also 
be acknowledged, that such, to whom God hath 
given a true discerning by his Spirit, may and 
ought to judge such practices, and the spirit they 
come from, and have no unity with them ; which 
if it be owned in the general, proves the case, to 
wit, That some pretending conscience in things 
seeming indifferent, but yet it proceeding in them 
from a spirit of singularity, emulation, or strife, 
those that have received a discerning thereof 
from the Lord, may and ought to judge the 
transgressors, without being accounted imposers, 
oppressors of conscience, or inforcers of unifor- 
mity, contrary to the mind of Christ; against 
which the apostle also guardeth the churches of 
old. 

Phil. 2. 3. 4. Let nothing be done through 



65 

strife, or vain glory ; but in lowliness of mind let 
each esteem other better than themselves. 

Look not every man on his own things ; but 
every man also on the things of others. 

Now, if it be an evil to do any thing out of 
strife ; then such things that are seen so to be 
done, are they not to be avoided and forsaken ? 
So that we are confident, our judgment herein 
cannot be denied, or reputed erroneous; except 
it be said, That none will or can arise in the 
Church of Christ, pretending such things from 
such a spirit ; which I know not any that will, it 
being contrary to the express prophecies of the 
scripture, and the experience of the church in 
all ages, as mav appear from Mat. 24. 24. Acts 
15. 24/l Tim.* 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 8. Mark 13. 21, 
22. 2 Pet. 2. 19. Or on the other hand, that 
those that abide faithful, and have a discerning of 
those evils ought to be silent, and never ought to 
reprove and gain-stand them, nor yet warn and 
guard others against them ; and that it is a part 
of the commendable unity of the church of Christ, 
to suffer all such things without taking notice of 
them. I know none will say so ; but if there be 
any so foolish as to affirm it, let them consider 
these scriptures, Gal. 2. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 20. 2 
Tim. 2. 24. 25. Tit. 1. 9. 10. 11. 

Now if none of these hold true ; but, on the 
contrary, such evils have been, and may be 
found to creep in among the people of God, and 
that such as see them, may and ought to reprove 
them ; then necessarily the doing so, is neither 
imposition, force nor oppression. 

As to the third; concerning the consequence 

p 2- 



66 

and tendency of them, it is mostly included in 
the two former : for whatsoever tendeth not to 
edification, but, on the contrary, to destruction, 
and to beget discord among brethren, is to be 
avoided : according to that of the apostle, Rom. 
16. 17. Now I beseech you brethren, mark them 
which cause divisions and offences, contrary to 
the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid 
them. 

And since there is no greater mark of the peo- 
ple of God, than to be at peace among them- 
selves ; whatsoever tendedi to break that bond of 
love and peace, must be testified against. Let it 
be observed, I speak always of the Church of 
Christ indeed, and deal with such as are of ano- 
ther mind ; not as reckoning only false churches 
not to have this power, but denying it even to 
the true Church of Christ, as judging it not fit 
for her so to act, as in relation to her members. 
For though Christ be the Prince of Peace, and 
doth most of all commend love and unity to his 
disciples ; yet I also know he came not to send 
peace, but a sword, that is, in dividing man from 
the lusts and sins he hath been united to. And 
also it is the work of his disciples and messen- 
gers, to break the bands and unity of the wicked, 
wherein they are banded against God, and his 
truth, and the confederacy of such as stand in un- 
righteousness, by inviting and bringing as many 
as will obey, unto righteousness ; whereby they 
become disunited and separated from their com- 
panions, with whom they were centred, and at 
peace, in the contrary and cursed nature. And 
•iodeed, blessed ate they that sire sent forth of 



67 

the Lord to scatter here, that they may gather in- 
to the unity of the life : and they are blessed that. 
in this respect, even for righteousness sake, are 
scattered and separated from their brethren; that 
they may come to know the brotherhood and fel- 
lowship, which is in the light ; from which none 
ought to scatter, nor to be scattered, but be more 
and more gathered thereunto. And this leads 
me to what I proposed in the third place, under 
this head, of the true churches power in matters 
spiritual, or purely conscientious ; which may be 
thus objected : 

If thou plead so much for an oneness in the 
smallest matters, wherein consisteth the freedom 
and liberty of the conscience, which may be ex- 
ercised by the members of the true church di- 
versely, without judging one another? 

In answer to this proposition, I affirm, first in 
general ; that whatsoever things may be suppos- 
ed to proceed from the same spirit, though di- 
verse in its appearance, tending to the same end 
of edification, and which in the tendency of it, 
layeth not a real ground for division, or dissen- 
tion of spirit, fellow-members ought not only to 
bear one another, but strengthen one another in 
them. 

Now the respects wherein this may be, I can 
describe no better than the apostle Paul doth 
principally in two places, which therefore will be 
fit to consider at length for the opening of this 
matter ; this being one of the weightiest points 
pertaining to this subject. Because, as on the 
one hand due forbearance ought to be exercised 
in its right place ; so on the other, the many de- 



68 

vices and false pretences of the enemy creeping 
in here, ought to be guarded against. 

The first is, 1 Cor. 12. from verse 4. to 31. 
thus : 

4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the 
same Spirit. 

5. And there are differences of administrations, 
but the same Lord. 

6. And there are diversities of operations, but 
it is the same God which worketh all in all. 

7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given 
to every man to profit withal. 

8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word 
of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by 
the same Spirit. 

9. To another faith by the same Spirit, to ano- 
ther the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 

10. To another the working of miracles, to 
another prophecy, to another discerning of spi- 
rits, to another divers kinds of tongues, to ano- 
ther the interpretation of tongues. 

11. But all these worketh that one and the 
self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally, 
as he will. 

12. For as the body is one, and hath many 
members, and all the members of that one bodv 
being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 

13. For by one Spirit are we all baptised into 
one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, 
whether we be bond or free ; and have been all 
made to drink into one Spirit. 

14. For the body is not one member, but many. 

15. If the foot shall say, because I am not the 
hand, I am not of the body ; is it therefore not 
of the body ? 



69 

16. And if the ear shall say, because I am not 
the eye, I am not of the body ; is it therefore not 
of the body? 

17. If the whole body were an eye, where were 
the hearing ? If the whole were hearing, where 
were the smelling ? 

18. But now hath God set the members every 
one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

19. And if they were all one member, where 
were the body ? 

20. But now are they many members, yet but 
one body. 

21. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I 
have no need of thee ; nor again, the head to the 
feet, I have no need of you ? 

22. Nay, much more those members of the 
body, which seem to be more feeble, are neces- 
sary. 

23. And those members of the body, which 
we think to be less honourable, upon these we be- 
stow more abundant honour, and our uncomely 
parts have more abundant comeliness. 

24. For our comely parts have no need, but 
God hath tempered the body together, having 
given more abundant honour to that part which 
lacked. 

25. That there should be no schism in the bo- 
dy ; but that the members should have the same 
eare one of another. 

26. And whether one member suffer, all the 
members suffer with it ; or one member be ho- 
noured, all the members rejoice with it. 

27. Now ye are the body of Christ, aud mem- 
bers in particular. 



70 

28. And God hath set some in the church, first 
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, 
after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, 
governments, diversities of tongues. 

29. Are all apostles ? Are all prophets ? Are 
all teachers ? Are all workers of miracLes ? 

30. Have all the gifts of healing ? Do all speak 
with tongues ? Do all interpret ? 

Which I would not have set down at large, 
but that there be some so careless, (especially in 
matters they like not) that they will scarce be at 
the pains seriously to read over a citation only 
named ; and that also this being presented before 
the reader, in the current of the discourse, will 
fix the nature of my application the more in his 
understanding. For the apostle shews here the 
variety of the operations of the divers mem- 
bers of the body of Christ, working to one and 
the same end; as the divers members of a man's 
body towards the maintaining and upholding of 
the whole. 

Now these are not placed in contrary workings, 
for so they would destroy one another ; and so 
the apostle in the ordering of them in three seve- 
ral kinds proves this. First, diversities of gifts. 
Secondly, differences of administrations. Third- 
ly, diversities of operations: and that which is 
the bond that keeps the oneness, here he also 
mentions, to wit, The same Spirit, the same 
Lord, the same God ; the apostle names nothing 
of contrariety or opposition. But lest any should 
be so critical, as to bring in here the school-dis- 
tinction of contrarium oppositum, and contradic- 
torium, I shall not deny, but contrariety or oppo» 



71 

sition, int the sense it is sometimes taken, may 
be found in the body without schism : as the 
comely parts may be said to be opposite or con- 
trary to the uncomely, or the left-hand contrary 
to the right, or the foot opposite to the head, as 
the uppermost part to the undermost ; or the do- 
ing a thing is contrary to the forbearing of it; but 
as for that which is acknowledged to be propo- 
sitions, or termini contradictorii, that is, contra- 
dictory propositions, which are in the tii selves irre- 
concilable, whereof one must be still wrong, and 
that still destroy one another, and work contrary 
effects, they are not at all admitted, nor supposed 
to be in the body of Christ ; as I shall give in 
one instance, verse 8. To one is given by the 
Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word 
of knowledge, by the same Spirit. First, here are 
two different gifts, but not contrary. Secondly, 
There may something like contrariety, in the 
sense aforementioned, be here supposed ; as, 
some may want this gift of wisdom and know- 
ledge, and so to have is contrary to want, (though 
as to these two, none may be absolutely said to 
want them ; yet all have them not in the same de- 
gree, as a special gift ; though $s to some gifts 
there may be an absolute want, as that of mira- 
cles, and interpretation of tongues.) But should 
I suppose such a contrariety, or more properly a 
contradiction, as to wisdom, to oppose folly, and 
to knowledge, utter ignorance ; this were an op- 
position not to be admitted of in the body, be- 
cause it were false to suppose that to proceed 
from the same spirit. And such contrarieties or 
diversities, as cannot justly be supposed to pro- 



72 

ceed from the same Spirit of God, which is the 
bond that links together, cannot be mutually en- 
tertained in the body ; so the differences and di- 
versities, which the apostle admits of, while he 
speaks largely in this matter, are, That none 
ought to be offended at his brother, that he hath 
not the same work and office in the body that he 
hath; but that every one keep in his own place, 
as God hath appointed them ; that neither them 
that are set in a higher place, despise them that 
are set in a lower ; nor them that are set in a low- 
er, grudge and repine at such as are set higher ; 
but all work in their proper place, towards the 
edification of the w 7 hole. And that the apostle 
intends this, is manifest, where he draws to a con- 
clusion, verse 27. Now ye are the body of Christ, 
and members in particular, and God hath set 
some in the church, first apostles, secondly pro- 
phets, &c. and then he subsumes, Are all apos- 
tles, &c. 

Which the same Paul again confirms, Ephes. 
4. 8. 11. to the 17th, which was the second place 
I intended ; and shall only mention, for brevity's 
sake, leaving the reader to consider of it at his 
leisure. m 

This is also held forth by the beloved disciple 
John in his three-fold distinction, 1 John 2. 12. 
13. Of fathers, young men and little children ; 
and by Peter, 1. Pet. 5. 1. 5. in that of elders and 
younger. The true liberty then in the Ch#ch of 
Christ is exercised when as one judgeth not ano- 
ther in these different places; but live in love 
together, all minding the unity and general good 
of the body, and to work their own work in their 






fewn place. Also the forbearance of the saints 
is exercised, when as they judge not one another 
for being found in the different appearance, 
either of doing or forbearing ; which may be pe- 
culiar to their several places and stations in the 
body : for that there is, and may be diversities of 
works there, is excellently well expressed by the 
apostles, viz, 

Rom. 12. 3. For I say through the grace gi- 
ven unto me, to every man that is among you, 
not to think of himself more highly than he 
ought to think; but to think soberly according 
as God hath dealt to every man the measure of 
faith. 

Verse 4. For as we have many members in 
one body, and all members have not the same 
office : 

Verse 5. So we being many, are one body in 
Christ, and every one members one of another. 

Verse 6. Having then gifts differing, accord- 
ing to the grace that is given us, whether prophe- 
cy, let us prophesy according to the proportion 
of faith : 

Verse 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our min- 
istring ; or he that teacheth, on teaching : 

Verse 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhorta- 
tion : he that giveth, let him do it with simpli- 
city ; he that ruleth, with diligence ; he that 
sheweth mercy, wdth cheerfulness. 

If any then should quarrel with his brother, 
for exercising that which belongeth to the office 
of the body Christ hath called him to, and 
would force him to exercise the same office he 
doth, though he be not called to it ; here is a 
5 G 



74 

breach of Christian Liberty, and an imposing up- 
on it. 

Now all schisms and jars fall out in this two- 
fold respect : either when any person or persons 
assume another, or an higher place in the body, 
than God will have them to be in> and so exer- 
cise an office^ or go about to perform that, which 
they ought not to do ; or when, as any truly ex- 
ercising in their place, which God hath given 
them, others rise up and judge them, and would 
draw them from it ; both of which cases have 
been, and may be supposed to fall out in the 
Church of. Christ. As 1 Cor. 4. 3. 4. where 
some judged Paul wrongously ; 3 John 9. where 
one exalting himself above his place, judged 
whom he ought not. We see then, what diver- 
sities be most usually in the Church of God, 
consisting in the difference of the gift proceeding 
from the same Spirit ; and in the divers places, 
that the several members have in the same body 
for the edification of it; and every one being 
here in his own station, his standing therein is 
his strength and perfection ; and to be in another, 
though higher and more eminent, would but 
weaken and hurt him : and so in this there ought to 
be a mutual forbearance, that there may neither 
be a coveting nor aspiring on the one hand, nor yet 
a despising or condemning on the other. But 
besides the forbearance of this nature, which is 
most ordinary and universal (and for the exer- 
cise whereof there is, and will still be a need, so 
long as there is any gathering or Church of Christ 
upon the earth) there is a certain liberty and for- 
bearance also, that js more particular^ and has a 



75 

delation to the circumstance of times and places, 
which will not hold universally; whereof we 
have the example of the primitive church, tes- 
tified by the scriptures in two or three parti- 
culars. The first was, In suffering circum- 
cision to the Jews for a time, and not only so, 
but also divers others of the legal and ceremo- 
nial purifications and customs, as may appear, 
Acts 21. ver. 21. 22. 23. 24, &c. The second 
was, In the observation of certain days, Rom. 14. 
5. And the third, In the abstaining from meats, 
1 Cor. 8. throughout : here the apostle persuades 
to, and recommends a forbearance, because of 
the weakness of some ; for he says not any 
where, nor can it be found in all the scriptures 
of the gospel, that these things such weak ones 
were exercised in, were things indispensably 
necessary, or that it had been better for them, 
they had not Been under such scruples, provid- 
ing it had been from a principle of true clear- 
ness and so of faith. 

Next again, these acts of forbearance were 
done in a condescension to the weakness of such, 
upon whom the ancient (and truly deserved in 
its season) veneration of the law had such a deep 
impression, that they could not yet dispense with 
all its ceremonies and customs : and to such the 
apostle holds forth a two-fold forbearance. 

First, A certain compliance by such believers, 
as were gathered out from the Jews ; though 
they saw over these things, yet it was fit they 
should condescend somewhat to their country- 
men and brethren, who were weak. 

Secondly, The like forbearance in the Gen- 



76 

tiles, not to judge them in these things ; but we 
see, that it was not allowed for such weak ones 
to propagate these scruples, or draw others into 
them ; and that when as any of the Churches of 
the Gentiles, who wanted this occasion, would 
have been exercising this liberty, or pleading for 
it, the apostle doth down-rightly condemn it, as 
I shall make appear in all the three instances 
above-mentioned. 

First, In that of circumcision, Gah 5. 2. 4. 

Behold I Paul say unto you, that if ye be cir- 
cumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing ; Christ 
is become of none effect unto you: whosoever of 
you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from 
grace. 

Can there be any thing more positive? Might 
not some here have pretended tenderness of con- 
science, and have said; Though the decree of 
the apostles do dispense with circumcision in me ; 
yet if I find a scruple in myself, and a desire to 
it out of tenderness, why should it be an evil in 
me to do it, more than in the Jews that believe ? 
'We see, there is no room left here for such rea- 
soning. 

Secondly, As to observations, Gal. 4 9, 10, 
1 I. Might not they have answered, What if we re- 
gard a day to the Lord, must we not then? are 
not these thy own words? We see that did not 
hold her^ because in them it was a returning to 
the beggaMy elements. 

Thirdly, As to meats, 1 Tim. 4. 3. Here we 
see that is accounted a doctrine of devils; which 
in another respect was Christian forbearance. 
And therefore now^ and that in the general res- 



77 

pect, he gives this reason, verse 4. For every 
creature of God is good, and nothing to be re- 
fused, if it be received with thanksgiving of them 
that believe and know the truth. So we see, that 
in these particular things there is great need of" 
warinesss in the Church of Christ; for that some- 
times forbearance under a pretence of liberty majr 
be more hurtful than down-right judging. I sup- 
pose, if any should arise and pretend conscience, 
and claim a liberty for circumcision and the puri- 
fications of the law, whether all Christians would 
not with one voice condemn it? and so as to days 
and meats, how do the generality of Protestants 
judge it? Though I deny not but there may, and 
ought to be a mutual forbearance in the Church 
of Christ in certain such cases, which may fall in ; 
and a liberty there is in the Lord, which breaks 
not the peace of the true church ; but in such 
matters (as I observed at large before) both the 
nature of the things, the spirit they come from, 
and the occasion from whence, and their conse- 
quence and tendency is to be carefully observed.. 



SECTION VII. 

Concerning the Power of decision. 

Seeing then it may fall out in the Church of 
Christ, that both some may assume another place 
in the body than they ought, and others may 
lay claim to a liberty and pretend conscience in 
things they ought not, and that without question 
the wrong is not to be tolerated, but to be testi- 

g 2 



73 

fled against, however specious its appearance may 
be; and that it must and ought to be judged: the 
question will arise, Who is the proper judge or 
judges, in whom resideth the power of deciding 
this controversy ? And this is that which I un- 
dertook in the next place to treat of, as being the 
specific difference and distinguishing property of 
the Church of Christ from all other antichristian 
assemblies and churches of man's building and 
framing. 

To give a short, and yet clear and plain an- 
swer to this proposition : The only proper judge 
of controversies in the church, is the Spirit of 
God, and the power of deciding solely lies in it; 
as having the only unerring, infallible and certain 
judgment belonging to it; which infallibility is 
not necessarily annexed to any persons, person 
or places whatsoever, by virtue of any office,, 
place or station any one may have or have had in 
the body of Christ. That is to say, that any have 
ground to reason thus : Because I am or have- 
been such an eminent member, therefore my 
judgment is infallible ; or, because we are the 
greatest number ; or, that we live in such a noted 
or famous place, or the like : though some of 
these reasons may, and ought to have their true 
weight in cases of contradictory assertions (as 
shall hereafter be observed) yet not so, as upon 
which either mainly, or only the infallible judg- 
ments to be placed; but upon the Spirit, as that 
which is the firm and unmoveable foundation. 

And now, if I should go on no further, I have 
said enough to vindicate us from imposition, and 
Jrom the tyranny, whether of Popery, Prelacy or 



79 

Presbytery, or any such like we have been, or 
may be branded with, as shall after appear* 

But to proceed : herein lies the difference be- 
twixt the dispensation of the law and the gospel 
or new-covenant; for that of old all answers were 
to be received from the priests in the tabernacle. 
For he that appeared betwixt the cherubims there, 
spake forth his mind to the people ; and there 
were also families of the prophets, to whom they 
resorted for the answer of the Lord (though 
sometimes, as a signification of the further glory 
that was to be revealed, it pleased God to reveal 
his mind to some, even to them who were nei- 
ther prophets nor prophets' sons) but under the 
gospel, we are all to be taught of God, that is ? 
none are excluded from this privilege by not be- 
ing of the tribe of Levi, or of the children of the 
prophets : though this privilege is as truly exer- 
cised in some, by assenting and obeying to what 
God commands and reveals through others (they 
feeling unity with it in the life) as by such, who 
by the revelation and command of God's Spirit 
hold forth his will to his People in certain par- 
ticulars, which the same Spirit leads and com- 
mands them to obey. So that we say, and that 
with a very good ground, that it is no way in* 
consistent with this sound and unerring principle 
to affirm, that the judgment of a certain person 
or persons in certain cases is infallible, or for a 
certain person or persons to give a positive judg- 
ment, and pronounce it as obligatory upon others^ 
because the foundation and ground thereof is, not 
because they are infallible, but because in these 
things; and at that time they were led by the in- 



80 

fallible Spirit. And therefore it will not shelter 
any in this respect to pretend, I am not bound to 
obey the dictates of fallible man ; is not this Po- 
pery, I not being persuaded in myself? Because 
it is not to be disobedient to them, but to the 
judgment of truth through them at such a time ; 
and one or more their not being persuaded, may 
as probably proceed from their being hardened, 
and being out of their place, and in an incapacity 
to hear the requirings, as that the thing is not re- 
quired of them, which none can deny; but it may 
as well be supposed, as the contrary. But for 
the further clearing of this matter, before I con- 
clude, I shall not doubt both to affirm and prove 
these following propositions. 

First, That there never will, nor can be want- 
ing, in case of controversy, the Spirit of God, to 
give judgment through some or other in the 
Church of Christ, so long as any assembly can 
properly, or in any tolerable supposition be so 
termed. 

Secondly, That God hath ordinarily, in the 
communicating of his will under his gospel, em- 
ployed such whom he had made use of in gath- 
ering of his Church, and in feeding and watching 
over them ; though not excluding others. 

Thirdly, That their de facto ^ or effectual meet- 
ing together, and giving a positive judgment in 
such cases, will not import tyranny and usurpa- 
tion, or an inconsistency with the universal pri- 
vilege that all Christians have to be led by the 
Spirit; neither will the pretences of any contra- 
dicting them, or refusing to submit upon the ac- 
count they see it not, or so, excuse them from 
being really guilty of disobeying Goek 



*1 

For the first, to those that believe the scrip- 
ture, there will need no other probation than that 
of Matt. 28. 20. And lo, I am with you alway, 
even unto the end of the world. And verse 18. 
And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

Now if the Church of Christ were so destitute 
of the Spirit pf God, that in case of difference 
there were not any found that, by the infallible 
Spirit, could give a certain judgment ; would not 
then the gates of hell prevail against it ? For 
where strife and division is, and no effectual way 
to put an end to it, there not only the gates, but 
the courts and inner chambers of darkness pre- 
vail ; for where envy and strife is, there is confu- 
sion, and every evil work. 

But that there may be here no ground of mis- 
take or supposition, that we w T ere annexing infal- 
libility to certain persons, or limiting the church 
to such ; I understand not by the church, every 
particular gathering or assembly, circumscribed to 
anv particular country or citv : for I will not refuse 
but divers of them, both apart and together, if 
not established in God's power, may err. Nor 
yet do I lay ^he absolute stress upon a general 
assembly of persons, as such, picked and chosen 
out of every one of those particular churches ; as 
if what the generality or plurality of those con- 
clude upon, were necessarily to be supposed to 
be the infallible judgment of truth: though to 
such an assembly of persons truly stated (as they 
ought) in God's power, he hath heretofore re- 
vealed his will in such cases ; and yet may as the 
most probable way (which shall be spoken of 
hereafter :) yet such, as a mere assembly; is not 



m 

conclusive, nor yet do I understand by the 
Church, every gathering or assembly of people, 
who may hold sound and true principles, or have 
a form of truth ; for some may lose the life and 
power of Godliness, who, notwithstanding, may 
retain the form or notions of things, but yet are 
to be turned away from, because .in so far (as I 
observed before) as sanctification, to wit, those 
that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, make the 
Church, and give the right definition to it: 
where that is wholly wanting, the Church of 
Christ ceaseth to be ; and there remains nothing 
but a shadow without substance. Such assem- 
blies then are like the dead body, when the soul 
is departed, which is no more fit to be conversed 
with ; because it corrupts, and proves noisome to 
the living. But by the Church of Christ, I un- 
derstand all those that truly and really have re- 
ceived and hold the truth, as it is in Jesus, and 
are in measure sanctified, or sanctifying in and by 
the power and virtue thereof working in their in- 
ward parts ; and this may be made up of divers 
distinct gatherings or churches in several coun T 
tries or nations : I say, so long as these, or any 
of them retain that, which justly entitles them 
the Church or Churches of Christ (which they 
may be truly called) though there may fall out 
some differences, divisions or schisms among 
them ; as we may see there was no small dissen- 
tion in the Church of Antioch, and yet it ceased 
not to be a church, Acts 15. 2. and Cor. 1. 11. 
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my 
brethren, that there are contentions among you ; 
and ye% verse 2. he entitles them the Church of 



83 

God, them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus *. 
so long, I say, as they truly retain this title of the 
Church of Christ, as being really such, there will 
never be wanting the certain judgment of truth. 
For which, besides the positive promise of Christ 
before- mentioned (which is not without blasphe- 
my to be called in question, or doubted of) 
I shall add these reasons. That seeing the Church 
of Christ is his body, of which he is the head, it 
were to make Christ negligent of his body, who 
stiles himself the good Shepherd, and hath said, 
He will never leave nor forsake his own ; or else 
(which is worse) it will infer a possibility of error, 
or mistake in Christ, in whom as the head, are 
the eyes of the body, by which it is to be ruled in 
all things. Next, we never find in all the scrip- 
ture since the gospel, that ever this was wanting ; 
but that God still gave infallible judgment by his 
Spirit in some of the respects above-mentioned. 
If the transactions and controversies of the after 
centuries be alledged, I will boldly affirm and 
prove, That there was never a true judgment 
wanting, so long as the nature and essence of the 
true Church was retained : if any will needs af- 
firm otherwise, let them shew me where, and I 
shall answer it. Though I deny not (that after 
the mystery of iniquity did begin to work, or had 
so wrought, first by intermixing, and afterwards 
by altogether forsaking the nature of truth, re- 
taining only the bare name of the church) but 
that there might be some scattered ones, here 
and there one in a nation, and now and then one 
ia an age, who by the power and virtue of the 
Spirit of life working in them, might be truly 



84 

sanctified ; yet these were but as witnesses in 
sackcloth, no way sufficient to give these assem- 
blies, in which they were engrossed, the appella- 
tion of the Church of Christ, coming no more 
under observation by the generality, nor having, 
as to them, any more influence than some little or 
scarcely discernible sparks of fire in many great 
heaps and mountains of ashes. And thus much 
to prove, that where there is any gathering or as- 
sembly, which truly and properly may be called 
the Church of Christ, the infallible judgment will 
never be wanting in matters of controversy. 

Secondly, That ordinarily God hath, in the 
communicating of his will under his gospel, em- 
ployed such whom he had made use of in gather- 
ing of his Church, and in feeding and watching 
over them, though not excluding others. For, 
as in a natural body (to which the Church of 
Christ is compared) the more substantial and 
powerful members do work most effectually ; 
and their help is most necessary to supply any 
defect or trouble in the body : so also, if there 
be diversities of gifts in the Church (as is above 
proved) and some have a greater measure, and 
some a lesser, those that have the greater are 
more capable to do good, and to help the body 
in its need, than others that are weaker and less 
powerful. Since there are strong and weak, babes 
and young men, who have overcome the evil one, 
and in whom the word of God abideth, such are 
more able, when the enemy besets, to resist (ha- 
ving already overcome) than others who are but 
yet wrestling, and not conquerors. Now, every 
controversy and dissention in the Church come* 



85 

from the besetments of the enemy ; yet if any of 
these strong or young men, or powerful mem- 
bers, go from their station, it is not denied but 
that they are as weak as any ; and it is pre-suppos- 
ing their faithfulness in their place that I thus af- 
firm, and no otherwise. Nor yet do I limit the 
Lord To this method : For in him are all the trea- 
sures both of our wisdom and strength ; and the 
weakest in his hand are as strong as the strong- 
est, who may now, as well as heretofore, kill a 
Goliah by the hand of little David ; yet we see 
the Lord doth ordinarily make use of the strong 
to support the weak : and indeed, when such as 
may be termed weak are so made use of, it alters 
the nature of their place, and constitutes them in 
a higher and more eminent degree. For though 
it was little David ; it was also he that was to be 
king of Israel. Though the apostles were mean 
men among the Jews, yet they were such as 
were to be the apostles of the Lord of Glory ; in- 
struments to gather the lost sheep of the house of 
Israel, and to proclaim the acceptable day of the 
Lord. And though Paul was once accounted 
the least of all the saints, a child born out of due 
time ; yet was he him who was to be the greatest 
apostle of the Gentiles, 

Now then, let us consider whom the Lord 
made use of in the affairs of the primitive church* 
and through whom he gave forth his infallible 
judgment. Did he not begin first by Peter? 
He was the first that spake in the first meeting 
they had, Acts 1. and who first stood up after 
the pouring forth of the Spirit ; and who first ap- 
peared before the council of the Jews, and spake 

H 



86 

in behalf of the gospel of Christ : though I am 
far from calling him (as some do) the prince of 
the apostles ; yet I may safely say, he was one of 
the most ancient and eminent, and to whom 
Christ, in a manner somewhat more than ordina- 
ry, had recommended the feeding of his flock. 
We see also he was first made use of in preach- 
ing to the Gentiles, and what weight his and 
James's words had in the contest about circum- 
cision towards the bringing the matter to a con- 
clusion, Acts 15. Yet that we may see infalli- 
bility was not inseparably annexed to him, he 
was found blameable in a certain matter, Gal. 2. 
11. notwithstanding his sentence was positively 
received in many particulars. 

So also the apostle Paul argues from his ga- 
thering of the churches of Corinth and Galatia, 
that they ought to be followers of him, and po- 
sitively concludes in divers things : and upon this 
supposition, exhorts the churches (both he and 
Peter) in many passages heretofore mentioned 
(which I will not, to avoid repetition, again re- 
hearse) to obey the elders that watch for them; to 
hold such in reputation and to submit themselves 
to them that have addicted themselves to the 
ministry of the saints, 1 Cor. 16. 15, 16. 

Also, we see how the Lord makes use of John 
his beloved disciple, to inform and reprove the 
seven churches of Asia ; and no doubt John (the 
rest, by the usual computation, being at that time 
all removed) was then the most noted and famous 
elder alive ; and indeed I mind not where, under 
the gospel, Christ hath used any other method ; 
but that he always, in repealing $h will, hath 



87 

made use of such as he himself had before ap- 
pointed elders and officers in his church; though 
it be far from us to limit the Lord, so as to ex- 
clude any from this privilege ; nor yet, on the 
other hand, will the possibility hereof be a suffi- 
cient warrant to allow every obscure member to 
stand up and offer to rule, judge and condemn 
the whole body ; nor yet is it without cause that 
such an one's message is jealousied and called in 
question, unless it have very great evidence and 
be bottomed upon some very weighty and solid 
cause and foundation. And God doth so furnish 
those whom he raises up, in a singular manner, 
of which (as I said) I mind no instance in the 
New Testament: and in the Old we see, though 
it was strange that little David should oppose him- 
self to the great Goliah, yet he had, before that, 
killed both the lion and the bear, which was no 
less improbable ; and which of all is most observ- 
able, was, before that time, by the appointment 
of God and the hand of the prophet, anointed 
king of Israel. Compare the 16th and 17th chap- 
ters of the first of Samuel. 

Now as to the third, That any particular per- 
sons, de facto, or effectually giving out a positive 
judgment, is no encroaching nor imposing upon 
their brethren's conscience, is necessarily includ- 
ed in what is said before; upon which, for further 
probation, there will only need this short reflec- 
tion : that for any member or members, in obedi- 
ence to the Lord, to give forth a positive judg- 
ment in the Church of Christ, is their proper 
place and office, they being called to it ; and so 
for them to exercise that place in the body, 



88 

which the Head moves them to, is not to usurp 
authority over their fellow members. As, on the 
other hand, to submit and obey (it being the place 
©f some so to do) is not a renouncing a being led by 
the Spirit, seeing the Spirit leads them so to do : 
and not to obey, in case the judgment be accord- 
ing to truth, and the Spirit lead to it, is, no doubt, 
both offensive and sinful. And that all this may 
be supposed in a Church of Christ without ab- 
surdity, and so establish the above-mentioned 
propositions, will appear by a short review of the 
former passages. 

If that Peter and James, their giving a posi- 
tive judgment in the case of difference in divers 
particulars, did not infer them to be imposers, so 
neither will any so doing now, being led to it by 
the same authority : every one may easily make 
the application. And, on the contrary, if for 
any to have stood up and resisted their judg- 
ment, pretending an unclearness, or so, and 
thereby held up the difference after their sen- 
tence, breaking the peace and unity of the 
Church (things being concluded with an It seem- 
ed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us) I say, if 
such would have given just cause of offence, and 
have been cut off, as despisers of dignities of old, 
will not the like case, now occurring, hold the 
same conclusion? Now, whether those proposi- 
tions do not hold, upon the principles before laid 
down and proved, 1 leave to every judicious and 
impartial reader to judge. 

Moreover, we see how positive the apostle 
Paul is in many particulars throughout all his 
epistles, insomuch as he saith, 2. Thess. ult. v. 



89 

14. If any man obey not our word by this epis- 
tle, note that man, and have no company with 
him, that he may be ashamed. And in many 
more places, before mentioned, where he com- 
mands them both to obey him, and several others,, 
who were appointed, (no doubt by the Spirit of 
God) to be rulers among them ; and yet, who 
will say, that either the apostle did more than he 
ought in commanding; or they less than they 
were obliged to, in submitting ? And yet neither 
were to do any thing contrary, or more than the 
Spirit of God in themselves led them to, or al- 
lowed them in. And if the Church of God bear 
any parity or proportion now in these days with 
what it did of old (as I know no reason why it 
should not) the same things may now be suppos- 
ed to take effect that did then, and also be law- 
fully done upon the like occasion, proceeding 
from the same Spirit, and established upon the 
same basis and foundation. And thus much, as 
to that part, to shew in whom the power of deci- 
sion is : which being seriously and impartially 
considered, is sufficient to clear us from the ty- 
ranny, either of popery or any other of that na- 
ture, with those that are not either wilfully blind, 
or very ignorant of popish principles, as the ju- 
dicious reader may observe. But seeing to ma- 
nifest that difference was one of those things pro- 
posed to be considered of, I shall now come to 
say something of it in its proper place. 






m 



SECTION VIII. 

How this government altogether differeth from 
the oppressing and persecuting principality of 
the Church of Home, and other anti- Christian 
assemblies* 

Whatever way we understand the Popish 
principles in this matter, whether of those that are 
most devoted to the See of Rome, as the king of 
Spain's dominions and the princes of Italy ; the 
Jesuits and generality of all those called religious 
orders, who hold that Papa in cathedra non potest 
errare, licet absque concilio; that is, that the 
pope in his chair cannot err, though without a 
council ; or of those that are less devoted who 
plead this infallibility in the pope and council, 
lawfully convened, who yet, by the more zealous,, 
are reckoned petty schismatics ; I say, whatever 
way we take them, all those that do profess them- 
selves members of the Romish church, and are 
so far such as to understand their own principles^ 
do unquestionably acknowledge. 

First, That no general council can be lawfully 
called without the bishop of Rome, as Christ's 
vicar and Peter's successor, call it 

Secondly, That either he himself or some for 
him, as his legates, must be there present and 
•always preside. 

Thirdly, That the members having vote are 
made up of bishops or presbyters or commission- 
ers from the several orders, being of the clergy.. 

Fourthly, That what is concluded on by plu- 
rality of votes and agreed to by the pope and his, 



91 

legates, must necessarily be supposed to be the 
judgment of the infallible Spirit, 

Fifthly, That all the members of the church 
are bound implicitly to receive and believe it, be- 
cause it proceeds from a council to be accounted 
lawful in the respects above mentioned, without 
regard to the intrinsic or real truths of the things 
prescribed, or bringing them hi any respect to 
the test or examinatiQn of the Spirit of God in 
themselves, or the scripture's testimony,, or their 
agreement or disagreement with truths, formerly 
believed and received; for so much as to prove 
or try them by way of doubt, they reckon a 
breach of the first command ; as, on the other 
hand, a matter of merit, implicitly to receive and 
believe them, however inconsistent with the tes- 
timony of the Spirit in one's own heart, scrip* 
ture, truth and reason. 

Sixthly, That no man, as a member of the 
Church of Christ, in that simple capacity, un- 
less a clergyman, or the ambassador of some 
king, &c. can be admitted to sit, vote, or give 
his judgment. 

Seventhly, That it is in no respect to be sup- 
posed, that any members, especially laicks, 
whether in a particular city, country or nation, 
may meet concerning any things relating to the 
faith and worship of the Church, and give, by 
the Spirit of God any judgment ; but that all 
such meetings are to be accounted schismatical 
and unlawful. And, 

Lastly, That the promise of infallibility, and 
the gates of hell not prevailing, is necessarily an- 
nexed to the pope and council, called and author 
rized in the manntr above expressed, 



92 

Now, if to deny every one of these proposi- 
tions, wherein all understanding men know the 
errors and abuses of the Romish church consist, 
be to be popish ; then indeed may we be suppos- 
ed to be one with the papists in this matter, but 
not otherwise : so that the very mentioning of 
these things is sufficient to shew the difference 
betwixt us and them. But if any will needs plead 
our agreement with them thus ; 

The papists affirm an infallibility of judgment 
in the Church of Christ, and so do you ; there- 
fore you are one with papists. 

I answer, that proves no more our oneness, in 
this matter, than if it should be said, the papists 
plead that God ought to be worshipped, and so 
do you ; therefore ye agree : notwithstanding of 
the vast differences as to that, which is not only 
known betwixt us and them, but betwixt them 
and all protestants, who agree more with them in 
the matter of worship than we do. 

Next again, infallibility in the church (accord- 
ing as we hold it, and I have above defined it) 
no man upon our supposition, or hypothesis, can 
deny it. For since we first assert, as a princi- 
ple, that no gathering, no church, nor assembly 
of people, however true their principles, or ex- 
act their form be, are to be accounted the 
Church of Christ, except the infallible Spirit lead 
and guide ; what can be the hazard to say, that 
in such a Church there is still an infallible judg- 
ment ? Indeed this is so far from popery, that it 
resolves in a proposition quite contradictory to 
them. The Romanists say, That the infallible 
Spirit always accompanies the outward visible 



93 

professors, and is annexed to the eternal succes- 
sion of bishops and pastors, though ever so vi- 
cious as to their lives : yea, though perfect* a- 
theists and infidels in their private judgments, 
yet if outwardly professing the catholic faith, and 
subjection to the church, they must be partakers 
of the infallible Spirit. We say the quite con- 
trary : That where there is either viciousness of 
persons, or unsoundness of judgment in the par- 
ticular members, these cannot, by virtue of any 
outward call or succession they have, or any pro- 
fession they make, or authority they may pre- 
tend to, so much as claim an interest in any part 
of the Church of Christ, or the infallible Spirit. 
So then, if we admit none to be members of 
the Church but such as are led and guided by 
the Spirit, it will be no popery, in the second 
place, to affirm, that where there is a company of 
people so gathered, who are not any longer to re- 
tain justly the name of the Church of Christ than 
they are led and guided by his Spirit, or a church 
so qualified and designed, there is still an infalli- 
ble judgment. So that this infallibility is not 
annexed to the persons, to the succession, to the 
bare visible profession (though true, which the 
church of Rome is denied to be) or to any socie- 
ty, because of its profession ; but singly, and 
alone to the true, real and effectual work of sanc- 
tification and regeneration, the new creature 
brought forth in the heart : and this is the Spi- 
ritual man, which the apostle saith, judgeth all 

* For some popes have been known to deny, or at least to 
doubt the truth of the scriptures as to the history of Christ, and to 
call in question the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection, 



94 

things, 1 Cor. 2. 15. To affirm there is an in- 
fallibility here, cannot well be condemned by any ; 
or whoso doth, must needs say, the Spirit of God 
is fallible : for we place the infallibility in the Spi- 
rit, and in the power, not in the persons. And 
so these are the degrees we ascend by : " because 
" such and such men are led by the Spirit of 
" God, and are obedient to the grace in their 
6i hearts, therefore are they members and officers 
" in the Church of Christ. And because they 
14 are members of the Church of Christ in the 
u respect before declared, therefore there is an 
f 1 infallible judgment among them." We do not 
say, Because such men profess the christian faith, 
and have received an outward ordination, and so 
are by a lawful succession formally established 
officers in the church, when they meet together 
(according to certain rules above declared) there 
is an infallibility annexed to their conclusions, 
and they cannot but decide what is right ; or ra- 
ther, what they decide must needs be supposed 
to be right. Who seeth not here a vast dispro- 
portion ? 

Now we differ herein fundamentally ; that is, 
as to the very basis and foundation upon which 
we build ; and that not only from the church of 
Rome, but also from the generality of protestants 
in this matter. All protestants do acknowledge 
a general council to be useful, yea necessary, in 
the case of division or debate ; let us consider 
the basis upon which they proceed, and the stress 
they lay upon it. 

First, All jointly, both the prelatical and pres- 
byterial, will have this synod or council to con- 



95 

sist of a convocation of the clergy, chosen and 
sent from the particular congregations, with some 
few laick elders, called together by the civil ma- 
gistrate, in case he be one in judgment with 
them. 

They decide by plurality of votes. And though 
they assume not an absolute infallibility, in that 
they reckon it possible for them to err, yet do 
they reckon their decisions obligatory upon their 
supposed consonancy to the scripture ; and how- 
ever do affirm that the civil magistrate hath pow- 
er to constrain all to submit and obey ; or else to 
punish them either by death, banishment, impri- 
sonment, confiscation of goods, or some other 
corporeal pain ; even though such be persuaded, 
and offer to make appear, that the decisions they 
refuse, are contrary to the scriptures. 

And lastly, (among the papists.) None, though 
otherwise confessed to be a member of the church, 
both knowing and sober, except commissionate 
in some of the respects above declared, can be 
admitted to sit, vote, and give his judgment. 

Any that will be at the pains to apply this to 
the foundation I before laid of the infallibility of 
judgment, in that we may account only to be tru- 
ly called the Church of Christ, will easily see 
the great difference betwixt us, which I shall sum 
up in these particulars : 

First, Do we exclude anv member of the 
Church of Christ, that may be truly accounted 
so, from telling his judgment ? 

Secondly, Do we say a man ought to be perse- 
cuted in his outwards for his dissent in spirituals ? 

Thirdly, Do iv e p 1v e«c| rtVSt decision is fo pass 



96 



And much more, which the reader may ob- 
serve from what is already mentioned; which, 
that it may be all more obvious at one view, will 
appear somewhat clearly by this following figure; 
which will give the reader an opportunity to re- 
collect what lay heretofore more scattered. 



I. The Romanists say, 

1. That there is an in- 
fallibility in the Church ; 
which infallibility is, 
when the pope calls a 
general council of bish- 
ops, &c. that whatsoever 
they conclude and agree 
upon must needs be the 
infallible judgment of the 
Spirit of God, because of 
the promise of Christ, 
That he would not suf- 
fer the gates of hell 
to prevail against his 
Church. 

2. And that the pope 
and council, made up of 
certain of the clergy, ha- 
ving one outward succes- 
sion, and being lawfully 
ordained, according to 
the canons, are that 
church, to which that pro- 
mise is made, however 
wicked or depraved they 
be; yet this infallible 
judgment follows them, 
as being necessarily an- 
nexed to their office, in 
which the authority still 



II. The generality of pro* 
testants say, 

1. That though all sy- 
nods and councils may 
err; yet such assemblies 
are needful for the edifi- 
cation of the Church. 
That such do consist of 
a convocation of the cler- 
gy, with some few laicks 
particularly chosen. That 
all others, except those 
so elected, have not any 
right to vote or give 
judgment. 

2. That such an as- 
sembly so constitute, may 
ministerially determine 
controversies of faith, 
cases of conscience, mat- 
ters of worship, and au- 
thoritatively determine 
the same. The decision 
is to be by plurality of 
votes, without any neces- 
sary respect to the in- 
ward holiness or regene- 
ration of the persons ; if 
so be they be outwardly 
called, ordained and in- 
vested in such a place 



97 



Stands in its full strength 
and vigour. 



S. So that there lies 
an obligation upon t!«e 
whole body of the church 
to obey their decrees: 
and such as do not, are 
not only certainly damn- 
ed for their disobedience, 
but that it is the duty of 
the civil magistrate to 
punish such by death, 
banishment or imprison- 
ment, &c. in case they re- 
fuse. 



and capacity, as gives 
them an authority to be 
members of such an as- 
sembly. 

3. What they thus de- 
cide (as they judge ac- 
cording to the scripture) 
ought to be received with 
reverence, and submitted 
to : and those that do not, 
to be punished by the ci- 
vil magistrate by death, 
banishment, of* imprison- 
ment, though they de- 
clare, and be ready to e- 
vidence,that it is because 
they are not agreeable to 
the scripture they refuse 
such decrees. 

III. The Quakers say^ 

1. That whereas none truly ought, nor can be 
accounted the Church of Christ, but such as are 
in a measure sanctified, or sanctifying, by the 
Grace of God, and led by his Spirit ; nor yet any 
made officers in the Church but by the Grace of 
God, and inward revelation of his Spirit (not by- 
outward ordination or succession) from which 
none is to be excluded, if so called, whether 
married or a tradesman, or a servant. 

2. If so be in such a Church there should arise 
any difference, there will be an infallible judg- 
ment from the Spirit of God, which may be in 
a general assembly ; yet not limited to it, as ex- 
eluding others : and may prove the judgment of 
the plurality, yet not to be decided thereby, as 
if the infallibility were placed there, excluding 

I 



98 

the fewer. In which meeting or assembly upon 
such an account, there is no limitation to be of 
persons particularly chosen ; but that all that in 
a true sense may be reckoned of the Church, as 
being sober and weighty, may be present, and 
give their judgment. 

3. And that the infallible judgment of truth, 
(w r hich cannot be wanting in such a church) 
whether it be given through one or more, ought 
to be submitted to, not because such persons 
give it, but because the Spirit leads so to do ; 
which every one coming to in themselves, will 
willingly and naturally assent to. And if any, 
through disobedience or unclearness, do not all 
that the Church ought to do, she is to deny 
them her spiritual fellowship, in case the nature 
of their disobedience be of that consequence as 
may deserve such a censure ; but by no means, 
for matter of conscience, to molest, trouble, or 
persecute any in their outwards. 

Who will be at the pains to compare these 
three seriously together, I am hopeful will need 
no further argument to prove the difference. 
But if any will further object, what if it fall out, 
de facto, that the teachers, elders, or plurality, do 
decide (and from thence will say) this is like the 
Church of Rome, and other false Churches ? It 
will be hard to prove that to be an infallible mark 
of a wrong judgment, as we have not said it is of 
a right. And indeed to conclude it were so, 
would necessarily condeitm the Church in the 
apostles days, where we see the teachers and el- 
ders, and so far as we can observe, the greater 
number did agree to the decision, Acts 1. 15. 



99 

For if the thing be right, and according to truth, 
it is so much the better that the elders and great- 
er number do agree to it; and if wrong, their af- 
firming it will not make it right : and truly a ga- 
thering, where the elders and greater number are 
always, or most frequently wrong, and the 
younger and lesser number right, is such, as we 
cannot suppose the true Church of Christ to be. 
And if any will plead, that there is now no infal- 
lible judgment to be expected from the Spirit of 
God in the Church, it, no doubt, will leave the 
dissenters as much in the mist, and at as great a 
loss, as those they dissent from; both being no 
better than blind men, hitting at random, which 
will turn Christianity into scepticism. And 
though we may acknowledge, that this uncer- 
tainty prevails in the generality of those called 
Churches ; yet we do firmly believe (for the rea- 
sons above declared, and many more that might 
be given) that the true Church of Christ has a 
more solid, stable foundation ; and being never 
separated from Christ, her head, walks in a more 
certain, steady, and unerring path* 



ICO 



THE CONCLUSION. 

The substance then of what is asserted and 
proved in this treatise, resolves in these following 
particulars. 

First, That in the Church of Christ, when it 
consists of a visible people (for I speak not here 
of the Church in the dark night of apostacy, that 
consisted not of any society visibly united) ga- 
thered into the belief of certain principles, and 
united in the joint performance of the worship of 
God, as meeting together, praying, preaching, 
&c. there is, and still must be, a certain order 
and government. 

Secondly, That this government, as to the 
outward form of it, consists of certain meetings 
appointed principally for that end ; yet not so as 
to exclude acts of worship, if the Spirit move 
thereunto. 

Thirdly, The object of this government is 
two-fold, outwards and inwards. The outwards 
relate mainly to the care of the poor, of widows 
and fatherless ; where may be also included mar- 
i iages, and the removing of all scandals in things 
undeniably wrong. The inwards respect an 
apostacy, either in principles or practices that 
have a pretence of conscience, and that either in 
denying some truths already received and be- 
lieved, or asserting new doctrines that ought not 
to be received. Which again (to sub-divide) 
may either be in things fundamental, and of great 
moment ; or in things of less weight in them- 
selves, jet proceeding from a wrong spirit, and 



101 

which in the natural and certain consequence of 
them, tend to make schisms, divisions, animosi- 
ties, and in sum, to break that bond of love and 
unity that is so needful to be upheld and esta- 
blished in the Church of Christ. And here come 
also under this consideration all emulations, 
strifes, backbitings, and evil surmisings. 

Fourthly, That in the true Church of Christ, 
(according to the definition above given of it) 
there will, in such cases of differences and con- 
troversies, still be an infallible judgment from the 
Spirit of God, either in one or other, few or 
more. 

Fifthly, That this infallible judgment is only, 
and unalterably, annexed and seated in the Spi- 
rit and power of God ; not to any particular per- 
son or persons, meeting or assembly, by virtue 
of any settled ordination, office, place or station, 
that such may have, or have had in the Church ; 
no man, men, nor meeting standing, or being in- 
vested in any authority in the Church of Christ, 
upon other terms than so long as he or they abide 
in the living sense and unity of the life in their 
own particulars ; which whosoever, one or more, 
inwardly departs from ipso facto, loses all authori- 
ty, office, or certain discerning, he or they formerly 
have had, though retaining the true principles 
and sound form, and (may be) not fallen into any 
gross practices, as may declare them generally 
to be thus withered and decayed. 

Sixthly, That Jesus Christ, under the gospel, 
hath ordinarily revealed his will in such cases 
through the elders and ministers of the Church, 
or a general meeting ; whose testimony is neither 

% 2 



102 

to be despised of rejected, without good cause. 
Neither is their taking upon them really to de- 
cide, any just ground to charge them with impo- 
sition, or to quarrel with their judgment ; unless 
it can be proved, that they are decayed, and have 
lost their discerning, as above. 

Seventhly^ That to submit and obey in such 
cases, is no detracting from the common privi- 
lege of Christians, to be inwardly led by the Spi- 
rit, seeing the Spirit has led some heretofore so 
to do, and yet may. And that every pretence of 
unclearness is not a sufficient excuse for diso- 
bedience, seeing that may proceed from obsti- 
nacy, or a mind prepossessed with prejudice: 
Yet say I not any ought to do it before they be 
clear; and who are every way right, will not 
want clearness in what they ought to do. 

And, lastly, That these principles are no ways 
tainted with imposition or contrary to true liber- 
ty of conscience : and that they fundamentally 
differ from the usurpation both of popery, prela- 
cy, and presbytery, or any other of that nature^ 

ROBERT BARCLAY. 



FINIS> 



AN 

SB s> a © ^ iL is 



TO THE 



NATIONAL MEETING OF FRIEND & ? 
IN DUBLIN, 

Concerning Good Order and Discipline in the 
Church* 



WRITTEN BY JOSEPH PIKE, 



My dearly beloved Friends and Brethren, 

Having been for some time under a deep and 
mournful sense of the states of many of the 
Churches of Christ, a weighty concern came up- 
on my spirit, to communicate some of those 
things to you which came under my considera- 
tion, and I could not be easy until I had given up 
to do it ; and as I foresee what I shall write will 
be long, and the longer by commemorating the 
dealings of the Lord with us in this nation, as 
well as by writing some things new and old : So 
therefore, I desire you will bear its length, it be- 
ing, in probability, the last time that ever I shall 
write to you, for I am but weak in body, and ill 
able to write at this time ; and, in all human pros- 
pect, not likely to continue long in this world. 
But however that may be, Oh ! saith my soul, 
that the Lord will be pleased to keep and pre- 
serve me near to himself to the end, that so i& 



104 

the end of my time, I may attain to that everlast- 
ing rest, that the elders, who have gone before 
me, are already entered into. 

And now, my dear friends, I herewith send 
you the salutation of my endeared love in our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which remains 
as fresh and fervent with me now in old age, as 
in my youth, more especially to you that travel 
in spirit, and are zealously concerned for the 
welfare and prosperity of Sion, you are as near 
and dear to me as ever, and I have unity with 
you, in the covenant of love and life, whether 
you are old or young, rich or poor ; for in this 
love it is that we are bound up together in the 
bundle of life, being baptized by one Spirit into 
one body, and in this love which proceeds from 
the Spirit, the true unity of the Church is kept 
tip and maintained in the bond of peace, where- 
by the whole body is edified together in love, 
which you know is a stronger bond and tie than 
all outward laws, creeds or confessions of faith 
without it. 

And besides this gift of the holy Spirit, which 
Christ has given us for our salvation, he has gi- 
ven additional means and assistances conducive 
to that great end ; thus he has afforded us the 
holy scriptures for our information, edification 
and comfort, through the Spirit. He has sent 
us his ministers and messengers, whom he has 
furnished with the immediate power of his word ; 
he has gifted elders to oversee, advise and ad- 
monish us, and by his holy Spirit, he has moved 
upon both ministers and elders, to give forth and 
leave us feoly instructions, for keeping godly or- 



105 

der and discipline in the Churches of Christ, to 
be as an hedge and fence about us for our pre- 
servation (so far as means can do) in this unity 
of the Spirit, as well as to keep us from the in- 
roads of the enemy, who goes about continually 
seeking whom he may devour* 

Our gracious Lord has done all this for us in 
our day and time, as he did formerly, so that we 
may truly say with that holy prophet Isaiah, who 
spoke from the mouth of the Lord, saying, What 
could have been done more to my vineyard that 
I have not done in it. And I pray God it may 
not be said of many of us now as he said to Israel 
then, viz : Wherefore, when I looked that it 
should bring forth grapes, it brought forth wild 
grapes. 

Now, my dear friends, that which bears the 
greatest weight upon my spirit at this time, is, 
relating to godly order and discipline in the 
Churches of Christ : And though I well know 
that you who have retained your first love to God, 
and have kept your habitations in his holy truth, 
do not want any information of mine to convince 
you of the necessity and service thereof ; yet, as 
©ut of the abundance of the heart the mouth 
speaketh, so out of the abundant concern I feel 
upon my spirit for the prosperity of truth, I be- 
seech you bear with me while I ease my mind, 
if it but prove of the least benefit to the younger 
in your meeting, by stirring up the pure mind by 
way of remembrance ; for notwithstanding I am 
very sensible that some of you do want but little 
stirring up to your duty, respecting discipline, 
yet I believe many others do. Neither do you 



106 

want to be convinced that our women's, as well 
as men's meetings for discipline, were first set 
up by the movings of the Lord's power, through 
that worthy and faithful elder George Fex; 
and also, that the authority of these meetings is 
to be kept up and maintained therein, you are li- 
ving witnesses thereof, because the Lord has of- 
ten owned your services in them by the oversha- 
do wings of his glorious power. 

You know also, that in the first institution of 
these our men's meetings, the members of them 
were to be faithful men, who were to rule and go- 
vern for the Lord, men fearing God, and hating 
covetousness, agreeable to those in the apostles 
times, whom the Holy Ghost had made overseers 
in the Church of Christ; yet this does not ex- 
clude honest minded young men from being ad- 
mitted to sit in those meetings as learners, who, 
growing in truth, may at length come to have 
their spiritual senses exercised, so as rightly to 
discern between good and evil, and things that 
differ, though at first they may not see into things so 
clearly as the faithful elders did, yet as they grow 
in truth, and follow them, as the apostle Paul ad- 
vises, the Lord in due time will reveal such 
things unto them. I can speak this from my 
own experience; likewise, in a more general 
w r ay, as there are, and always will be, different de- 
grees of growth in* the members of the Church 
of Christ, yet as all tire growing in truth, and 
drawing one way, and aiming at the same thing, 
namely, the honour of the Lord and prosperity of 
his holy truth, there will be a general condescension 
and submission to one another, but more espeel 



107 

ally to godly elders and overseers ; here the strong 
and self- will of man is kept out, and the unity of 
the Spirit, ill an heavenly harmony, maintained 
in those meetings, as well as among the whole 
body, or Church of Christ. 

And while things remained in this order, the 
true watchmen for Christ, those elders, were 
good examples to the flock themselves ; they di- 
ligently watched them, lest the enemy should 
steal in upon them ; and when at any time he 
made an appearance, they gave the alarm to the 
flock to beware of the devourer : Thus, if any 
thing did appear contrary to truth, of what kind 
soever, then presently (without delay) those true 
watchmen did endeavour to put a stop thereto ; 
then it was; that things went well in general in 
the Churches of Christ. I could enlarge abund- 
antly upon the good effects of it, but stop myself, 
and in a few words say, That then the disorderly 
were dealt with in due time, according to the na- 
ture of their offences, and for their good : and if 
they could not be reclaimed, they w r ere set in 
their places, truth cleared, and they made as ex- 
amples to others, and then those examples in 
some measure became a terror to such who were 
inclined and ready to follow their disorderly steps, 
by which means many, I believe, were deterred 
therefrom: and thus holy discipline was kept in 
its right channel, and, above all, the Lord was 
pleased to own those services with his heavenly 
power. 

But alas! alas! The state of things continued 
in this condition but a few vears before the 
enemy of all righteousness made attempts to 



108 

break down the fence of discipline, which had 
been set up by the power of God, and even pre- 
vailed on some, who had been as leading elders 
and ministers to be concerned therein (such who 
once knew better things) but had departed from 
their first love to truth, and zeal for it ; these men 
with their libertine company in our bordering na- 
tion, did rise up against that man of God, G. 
Fox, who had been made the instrument, in the 
hand of the Lord, to set up good order and disci- 
pline ; they levelled their rage and malice against 
him in particular, with those who had kept their 
first love in general: but their chief end was to 
lay waste, and destroy this good order and disci- 
pline, and leave every one to do as they pleased., 
and would have no bounds set, with this plausi- 
ble pretence, that all must be left to the light in 
their consciences, and friends must wait until they 
are convinced that such and such things were 
contrary to truth, though even many of the things 
they went into, the light of Christ led the true 
followers of it out ©f, and to testify against, in 
the beginning. This was pleasing doctrine to 
libertines ; it took with them, and they made use 
of it, and thereupon went into wrong liberty, as 
height, pride, fashions of the world, stiff-necked- 
ness, strife, contention, and so unruly, that they 
would not submit their differences to friends, 
with many other things contrary to truth, too 
long to enumerate ; and yet all this under a pre- 
tence of Christian liberty, and that they were not 
convinced by the light in their consciences to the 
contrary. In short, the rebellion and confedera- 
cy against good order in the Church* was very 



109 

great and strong, and in some places they set up 
separate meetings ; but the Lord brought a blast 
upon that spirit, and they came to nothing, as a 
body of people ; yet notwithstanding this, the 
seeds, which they had sown in this time of undue 
liberty remained, and still remain amongst many, 
in some places, and in this time it was that some 
of those seeds were brought into this nation, by 
examples from them, and in particular, height 
and finery in apparel and household stuff, with 
some other things, of which I am presently to 
speak. 

Though I was but a young man then, yet an 
eye and ear witness of many of those things, ha- 
ving been at several of the meetings in England, 
wherein this libertine spirit raised contention, 
and then I clearly saw the tendency thereof; that 
it would, if possible, lay waste the whole heri- 
tage of God, and I bore my testimony against it, 
as convenient seasons and opportunities offered. 

I have written after this manner to shew how 
good order and discipline was set up and estab- 
lished in a general way, and what spirit it was 
that opposed it then, and I greatly fear the same 
spirit is at work now, in this nation, though in 
a different appearance, not by their opposing all 
discipline in a general manner as they did, but by 
breaking of minutes, and weakening the hands 
of the faithful, who are zealously concerned in 
spirit for the promotion of truth, and keeping up 
the discipline thereof in its right line. 

Now, in opening these things, I find I shall be 
still led on in an historical manner, and therefore 

K 



110 

desire your patience, and though it tend not to 
the information of you, faithful elders in Israel, 
who know them already, yet it may be to the 
younger, by commemorating the kind dealings of 
the Lord towards us, and stirring up the pure 
mind in them, and that none of us may be un- 
grateful to him, for all the benefits and labour 
that he has bestowed upon us. 

I have already said that some of the seeds, 
which that libertine spirit had sown, were brought 
over into this nation, and particularly that of 
height and finery in apparel and household fur- 
niture, &c. And by exampling one another, they 
came to a great height at last, though not to that 
degree, as in the other nation, but we are going 
fast into them. 

Now, upon this occasion, I'must revive the 
memory of that worthy elder, William Edmund- 
son, of this nation, whose memory and labours 
live, and are sweet to the upright in heart, and 
who (as most of you well know) was eminently 
instrumental in the hand of the Lord, not only in 
a powerful ministry by word and doctrine, but 
also for establishing and maintaining good order 
and discipline in the Churches of Christ. He 
zealously and with undaunted courage stood up 
faithfully for the Lord and his cause, and oppos- 
ed all false liberty in its first appearance, and was, 
to my certain knowledge, much grieved, wheft 
he saw it growing in this nation, and faithfully 
bore his testimony against it, without favour or 
affection, and though he did so, and that many 
epistles and minutes went forth from our half- 



Ill 

year meeting, against that libertine spirit of 
height, pride, and other things, that had grown 
upon us, yet all did not prove fully effectual, un- 
til at last the Lord blest his unwearied endeav- 
ours with success, as a chief instrument in the 
hand of God, for putting godly discipline in due 
and close execution, by which means a stop was 
put to that spirit, in great measure, until he was 
taken from us, and it is now about thirty years 
since the Lord raised up and spirited many god- 
ly elders to join with him as one man, in this 
work of reformation, and thereupon epistles were 
given forth from half-years meetings, which nam- 
ed abundance of superfluities, in apparel, house 
furniture, garnishing of houses, &c. with numer- 
ous other things relating to conversation and be- 
haviour, and running greedily after the things of 
this world, too long to enumerate, and which may 
be seen in those minutes; and for the more ef- 
fectual performing this work, they directed us to 
choose out right spirited Friends, who had a con- 
cern upon them for the prosperity of truth, and 
putting away ail those things that were as nui- 
sances in the Church, to visit every particular 
family, to see, inspect and advise accordingly, 
as they saw occasion for it. 

Now, about this time, the Lord had also rais- 
ed a concern in the minds of the faithful elders, 
in most parts of this nation, and, with them, had 
likewise been preparing the hearts of a younger 
and middle aged generation, to join in this work, 
and when those epistles and minutes came down 
to this province, there was a general assent m the 



112 

minds of Friends to comply with the advices they 
gave us, as seeing the necessity of it; and indeed 
1 must confess, I believe that we, in this city of 
Cork, were at that time as much concerned to 
take the advice as any in the nation ; for though 
our wives and children dressed pretty plain, yet 
many of them wore rich costly apparel, though 
of grave colours, and many of our houses were 
furnished with divers superfluities, that were not 
agreeable to the plainness of truth, and as truth 
(I am satisfied) led into, in the beginning. 

However, so it was, that the Lord touched the 
hearts of those also, and they joined heart and 
hand to the work, in first cleansing their own 
houses and families from these things, and after 
that, as elders were appointed according to the 
advice of the half-year's meeting to visit families, 
so some of those, the younger, were appointed 
amongst the rest ; but I well know it was very 
hard for some of them to give up to it, as think- 
ing the service too weighty for them, but having 
a concern upon their spirits, that the work should 
go on, they at last complied, though in a cross 
to their own wills; they went in much weakness, 
fear and trembling, but the Lord (I testify) was 
with and strengthened them in the service. I 
write this for the encouragement of all honest 
hearted young persons, such who are concerned 
in spirit for the prosperity of truth, and that think 
themselves very weak, and thereby are too back- 
ward in such services, which the faithful elders 
in the Church of God shall think them measura- 
bly capable ©f. 



118 

It is with me to let the younger know how 
Friends proceeded in their visits ; and this I dcv 
in order to stir up their minds by way of informa- 
tion and encouragement. The visiters chosen 
first met together, and, in the love of God r with- 
out partiality, examined one another, how far 
they stood clear themselves, relating to the 
things about which they were goingr to advise 
others; and, after due examination proceeded 
thus : when we came to a family, we sat down 
with them, and first waited a while upon the 
Lord, and then, as it arose in the minds of any, 
we principally in the first place directed them to 
the gift of the Lord's Spirit in themselves, as 
that by which alone they could grow in the truth* 
and which would lead them in outward things, 
agreeable thereto, as to conversation, behaviour, 
and plainness of apparel and speech, &c. as it led 
our elders in the beginning; and that although; 
these things were very commendable in their 
places, yet told them they would not do of them- 
selves, except the heart was also right in the 
sight of the Lord : and having spoken what was 
in our minds, according to the state of the fami- 
ly we visited (sometimes all together, and some- 
times particularly apart,, as we saw occasion for 
it) we then came to the minutes from our half- 
year's meeting, and spoke particularly to them*. 

And this I may tell you of a truth, that in all 
those visits we made in this city at that time, we 
met with no opposition or contradiction in any 
one family or particular person, that I remember* 
tut a general condescension in all, and som^ 



114 

times a free and open confession of things that 
had been amiss, and that in great tenderness, 
with hopes of amendment for the future ; so that 
the visiters and visited had great satisfaction in 
that service ; and this I may further tell you, 
above all, the Lord owned our service, by fa- 
vouring us with his holy power therein, so that 
in some families, where things were well, the 
Lord overshadowed us by his living presence, 
and melted us down together, as into one lump ; 
May my soul never forget those times, while I 
have a day to live in this world ! 

Now, after those visits were over in this city^ 
ih convenient time most of those visiters here did 
accompany some other faithful elders in the pro- 
vince, and they went through it, visiting the fa- 
milies of Friends, like as they had done in this 
city, which had much the same effects as here, 
there being a general condescension to comply 
with the desire of the half-year's meeting ; and 
accordingly, in time, there was (I think I may 
say) a pretty full and effectual reformation in this 
province in outward things that had been amiss, 
and which that meeting desired might be put 
away, aiid I understood the like success attended 
that service in other parts of this nation ; and 
thus things stood for several years, and there was 
great unity among Friends of this province in 
particular, as well as in general throughout the 
rest of the kingdom, and the Lord was pleased 
therewith, which he manifested oftentimes by the 
overflowing of his divine power in the meetings 
of Friends* 



115 

I confess, my dear Friends, my writing aftet 
this manner looks rather like an history or nar- 
rative, than an epistle, but I desire you will bear 
with me, it being to magnify the loving kindness 
of the Lord in (rehearsing) his dealings with 
us, and for the information and encouragement 
of the younger, that they may follow the steps of 
the worthy ancients, who have followed Christ; 
and shun and avoid that libertine spirit, which I 
fear is now getting in, and has got in again, en- 
deavouring to throw down and lay waste what 
our godly elders had reared up by the power of 
the Lord, and from this fear I am led to query 
after this manner. 

Are there not some in being who not only saw 
those times of outward reformation, but also hear- 
tily joined therein, by putting away out of their 
houses and families those superfluities in fineness 
of apparel and household furniture, &e? I am 
satisfied there are. Or are there any, who, since 
that time, have owned that concern and for a time 
stood zealous for the plainness of truth? I am 
persuaded there are. And now I query, are there 
any of late times, of both sorts, who have lost that 
former zeal and suffered or permitted some of the 
same or greater superfluities in apparel and dress 
to be worn by their children and in their fami- 
lies; and likewise have suffered or permitted ^s 
fine or finer house furniture and garnishing to 
come into their own houses or their children's, 
which I am satisfied they might have prevented 
by zealously standing against it; and moreover, 
have they not connived at others that have gone 
into such things? I fear there are such. 



116 

Now, by these and the like means, and by ta- 
king examples from one another, the seeds of 
height, pride and vanity, have grown and spread, 
more (among us) than ever they were before that 
time of reformation, to the wounding and griev- 
ing of the souls of the upright in heart. Ah !: 
Friends, Friends, I have this to say to you, from 
the movings of the Spirit of the Lord in my hearty 
how will you answer it in the day of account ? 
You, I say, that by your easiness and lukewarm- 
ness, have let in those offensive things upon us 
again ; for as our blessed Lord said, Whoso shall 
offend one of these little ones which believe in me ? 
it were better for him that a millstone were hang^ 
ed about his neck and that he were drowned in 
the depth of the sea. What will be the portion 
of such as these ? Therefore let all who are con- 
cerned herein repent and do their first works be- 
fore it be too late. 

Again, besides height, pride and fashion^ 
which have (I fear) appeared in too many with a 
daring face, are there not some that have very 
much lost, or been ashamed of the plain language 
both in speaking and writing. 

I further query, are there not some who havs 
gone into undue liberty of many kinds, and others 
that would be accounted something, who hava 
gone into contentions, broils and differences^ 
(through a covetous and selfish spirit) to the 
trouble of the church? I wish there may not. But 
I cannot well pass by that evil spirit of covetous- 
ness without the following remark : ? It is an 
abominable evil in the sight of the Lord, Christ 



117 

himself severely reprehended it and cautioned to 
beware thereof,' his holy apostles called it idola- 
try, and the former prophets cried out against it ; 
as did in like manner that worthy elder, William 
Edmund son (herein before mentioned) often 
warning us to beware thereof: where it takes 
deep root in the heart, it is a merciless devouring 
spirit, not only endeavouring to devour others, 
but even destroy that man himself who gives way 
thereto, and very little can stand before it, there- 
fore beware thereof wherever it appears." 

And lastly, besides what I have queried above, 
I here query in a more general manner; are there 
Rot some who were once very zealous and stood 
against all those things I have mentioned, and if 
they had kept their habitations in the Lord's holy 
truth, might have been made serviceable instru- 
ments in his hand, and as bright stars in the firm- 
ament of his power, and have joined hand in hand 
and put shoulder to shoulder, in helping the faith- 
ful to keep out those things ; and by which means 
I am persuaded they would in great measure have 
been kept out: I say, are there not some of those 
(though I hope not many) that now of late years 
have been faulty in some of those things them* 
selves, and others who have stood easy and un- 
concerned in mind, while they have seen and 
beheld some that were going into them, and in- 
stead of helping the zealous and upright in heart, 
have rather clogged and weakened their hands, 
by openly or secretly abetting the cause of the 
wrong spirited and the disorderly, so far as they 
were able ? and thereby have sometimes fended o§ 



118 

the stroke of justice and judgment, in the way of 
discipline and hindered the line thereof from 
being stretched over such in due time, according 
to the nature of their offences : for if right times 
be not observed, right services may be lost. 
Whereas, if true discipline had been duly and 
rightly executed, it might probably have tended 
to the good of such offenders themselves, as well 
as the deterring others from following their steps; 
but, above all, it would have kept up, and esta- 
blished good order and discipline in its right line 
in the Church of Christ. 

The breaking or obstructing this right line of 
discipline has, I fear, produced a partial con* 
niving amongst some ; for have not the easy, 
luke-warm, and indifferent, (who have lost 
their first love) daubed with un tempered mortar, 
while they have endeavoured to skreen and 
defend the covetous, and troublers of the Church? 
And, on the other hand, have not such joined 
with the luke-warm daubers, when they have 
been justly found fault withal, and then both 
sorts have been easy with the high, proud, 
and libertines, who also in their turn (as they had 
opportunity) defended the rest; and thus they 
have strengthened one another, contrary to that 
most solemn charge which the apostle Paul gave 
to Timothy, in relation to the management of 
the Church affairs, viz. I charge thee, says he, 
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ and the 
elect angels, that thou observe these things, with- 
out preferring one before another, doing nothing 
by partiality, 1 Tim, v. 21. Such as these are men 



119 

for God, and right judges for him. They eari- 
not swerve or be partial to any party, person, or 
even nearest relations, for favour, affection, or 
worldly ends ; but as to those who are easy, luke- 
warm, partial or cold, or such that are troublers 
of the Church of God, and who once knew better 
things, I have this in my heart to say (if there be 
any such, as I fear there are) the Lord's contro- 
versy is against them, whether they pretend to be 
teachers of others, or as elders, and he will dread- 
fully plead with such above others, for they may 
not onlv have their own blood to answer for. but 
also the blood of others ; therefore repent in time, 
before it be too late. If any one shall think me 
too sharp in what I write, I may tell them it is no 
pleasing work to me, for I do it in a cross to my 
own will, but the day calls for plain dealing, and 
I must discharge my conscience. 

But as for you, my dear friends, who have re- 
tained your first love to God, and have stood 
zealous for the Lord and his truth, whether you 
are ministers or elders, young or old, what I 
write touches you not ; therefore I verily be- 
lieve you will not be offended at it, for you can 
discern from what spirit I write : but notwith- 
standing I have enumerated so many hurtful things 
which have prevailed upon somethathavebeen un- 
watchful, yet I hope none will mistake me so far as 
that thereby I mean the generality of Friends, which 
I am far from doing ; for I believe, and know, 
that the Lord has still a faithful people in this 
nation, which I hope he will preserve to the end. 

Moreover, I have this in particular to say to 



120 

you that go mourning under the burden of those 
things I have mentioned, be not too much dis- 
couraged though some of your brethren, that 
should have helped you, have left you; it was so 
of old ; remember that great servant of the Lord, 
Moses, how often he was brought into great 
straits, by oppositions he met with from rebelli- 
ous Israel, yet the Lord stood by him, and car- 
ried him through to the end. Remember the 
prophets Elijah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, with 
others, who sometimes thought they stood alone, 
yet the Lord stood by them, and likewise car- 
ried them through. Remember Paul, who said 
to Timothy upon one occasion, that no man stood 
with him, and all they of Asia turned from him, 
and he sometimes met with great opposition and 
discouragements, yet the Lord stood by him, 
and carried him through : these may be as exam- 
pies and encouragements to you ; therefore slack 
not your hands, be not dismayed because of op- 
positions and discouragements you meet withal, 
stand your ground, and be zealous for the Lord 
and his testimony, and though you cannot do all 
you desire, yet do all you can for him, and the 
Lord will stand by you, as he did by them for- 
merly. 

Dear Friends, there is another thing of great 
consequence that I have not yet mentioned, 
which has done abundance of mischief in the 
Church, and that is the fondness and indulgence 
of many parents to their children, in giving them 
their own way and wills so long, until the root 
of evil has grown and spread itself forth into ma- 



^MM 



121 

ny evil branches, and at length they have been 
so alienated from truth and Friends, that some 
of them have run quite out. I could enlarge a- 
bundantly upon the evil effects of this fond indul- 
gence, but that I have been so large already on 
other matters, and that we have so many minutes 
against it. 

However I say, that though some godly pa~ 
rents have discharged their duty to their children, 
which has not had the desired effect, yet they 
will be clear of their blood ; but I believe too ma- 
ny have not performed their duty ; by which ne- 
glect their children have taken wrong liberty, and 
fallen into hurtful things; such parents must be 
accountable for it in the day of the Lord. 

I have already spoken of admitting young men 
into men's meetings, but have this to add (not as 
your director) but as believing it is what Truth 
will lead all right spirited Friends into in every 
quarter, viz. To be very careful not to admit of 
any, unless they come under these following 
qualifications: First, they should be sober and 
orderly in their conversations/ Secondly, they 
should be plain and exemplary in their habit, 
apparel and dressing, likewise no tattlers. And 
thirdly, that so far as Friends can have a sense 
of their spirits, that they will be condescending 
to godly elders, and not either in their words 
or spirits likely to oppose them ; for I have ob- 
served in my time, that some, who have been 
admitted, without these qualifications, have in 
time proved great troublers of the Church, es- 
pecially if they have had fluent tongues, which 



122 

I have beheld in some places (in my former tra- 
vels) to the grief of my soul. 

Another thing I may observe to you, that we 
have a great many young and middle-aged men 
amongst us, who are orderly in their conversa- 
tions, /and also wish well to the prosperity of 
truth, and yet are (as I may term it) either in- 
dolent, or too much encumbered in the things 
of this world, and thereby are backward in com- 
ing up into that service for Truth, which otherwise 
they might be capable of, were their spiritual 
senses rightly exercised ; but by their being so 
backward their senses grow (as it were) dull, for 
want of use, and I believe it will become the 
duty of godly elders in all the meetings where 
such are, to stir them up to mind the- gift that is 
in them, or if need be,, even to rouse them up to 
their duties, as well for their own good, as the 
service they may have for the Truth. 

And novv> dear Friends, I am come near to ^n 
end of this very long epistle, and though I have 
been thus large already,, yet one thing more 
bears weight upon my mind and I could not be 
easy without touching upon, it, which, if it shall 
only tend to a caution of the younger, my end 
will be answered; and that is relating to the close 
joining in familiarity with any dark, opposite and 
unruly spirits; you know wehave minutes against 
it ; and the apostle Paul was of the same mind r 
when he advised to have no company with any 
who obeyed not theitf word, by that epistle, 2 
Thes. iii. 14, 16. yet in that case adviseth not to* 
count such an enemy, but admonish him as a 
brother; but positively commands, in the name 



123 

of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from e* 
very brother that walked disorderly and not after 
the tradition received of the apostle, &c. 2 Thes* 
iii. 6. and likewise to have no fellowship with the 
unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them. 
Now, if any of those who walk orderly, and 
are in fellowship with Friends, do contract a very 
intimate and unnecessary familiarity with persons 
of dark or opposite spirits, I believe it will have 
these following bad effects. First, it may rather 
strengthen them in that spirit, than help to re- 
claim them from their opposition. Secondly, If 
may harden them in prejudice against those that 
cannot do the same. Thirdly, It may be of ill 
example, and tend to the further hurt of others, 
who are inclined to follow the steps of the un- 
faithful. But beyond all this, in my time I have 
observed, that even the orderly themselves have 
been greatly hurt, at last some of them lost there- 
by ; for having these opportunities of frequent 
conversation together, and by the continual buz- 
zing things against the faithful, the orderly 
have in length of time lent an ear to them, where- 
by surmises and jealousies have been begotten,, 
then hardness and prejudice have entered , and 
lastly, a joining in confederacy with dark spirits 
against those who have nothing more in their 
view than the honour of the Lord, and good of 
souls ; and by this very means (even to my own 
certain knowledge) many, who at first, were or- 
derly and honest minded, were caught in this 
snare in the time of the separation, and some ta- 
ken in the same in this nation also : Therefore 



124 

I hope the orderly will observe our minutes and 
the advice and commands of the apostles, and 
if they have occasion (as they may often] to con- 
verse with any of the other sort, to keep upon 
their watch, and carry towards them, as to such 
who are under admonition, for I am sure Truth 
will lead thereto. 

And now I shall conclude, in much brotherly 
toyej your dear Friend, 

JOSEPH PIKE. 



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